HA Based Opsonokines: A Novel Approach to Tumor Vaccines

描述（由申请人提供）：一些学术团体和公司专注于通过细胞因子基因转移生产基于细胞的肿瘤疫苗。这种方法允许持续的局部生产细胞因子，并在细胞附近维持高浓度的细胞因子。然而，基因转移带来了许多问题。作为一种实用的、以产品为导向的基因改造替代方案，我们正在生产经过工程设计的细胞因子，当外源性、体外添加时，它们会自动附着在肿瘤细胞上。因此，分子的免疫调节部分位于细胞外表面并集中在细胞表面附近，从而增加了其效力。这些分子，我们称之为“调理因子”，通过与无处不在的质膜特征的相互作用附着在细胞上。在我们的1期SBIR研究中，一种基于调理因子的原型疫苗在小鼠中显示出良好的抗肿瘤活性。我们现在继续对原型分子进行体外和体内研究。在美国，每年确诊的癌症病例超过100万例。目前的治疗方法是不够的。该项目旨在开发一种强大、实用的方法来刺激免疫系统来对抗这种流行疾病。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A number of academic groups and companies have focused on the production of cell-based tumor vaccines by cytokine gene transfer. This approach allows sustained local production of the cytokine and maintains a high concentration of cytokine in the vicinity of the cells. However, gene transfer presents numerous problems. As a practical, product-oriented alternative to genetic modification, we are producing cytokines that are engineered to automatically attach to tumor cells when added exogenously, ex vivo. The immunomodulatory portion of the molecule is thus positioned on the outer cell surface and concentrated in the vicinity of the surface, increasing its potency. These molecules, which we have dubbed "opsonokines", attach to cells through interactions with ubiquitous plasma membrane features. In our Phase 1 SBIR study, a prototype opsonokine-based vaccine has demonstrated excellent antitumor activity in mice. We now continue our in vitro and in vivo studies of the prototype molecule. Over 1,000,000 cases of cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Current treatment approaches are inadequate. This project seeks to deveop a powerful, practical method for stimulating the immune system to fight this prevalent disease.