Reports from Harvard University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School describe recent advances in cancer vaccines clinical trial
2007 NOV 19 -- New investigation results, 'Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4,' are detailed in a study published in Clinical Cancer Research. "Previously, the development of immune-based therapies has primarily focused on vaccines and cytokines, yielding benefit in a small percentage of patients. Recent advances in our understanding of the function of costimulatory molecules have revitalized enthusiasm in the development of immune therapies for cancer," scientists in the United States report. "This family of proteins possesses properties involved in both lymphocyte activation and immune-inhibitory functions. The costimulatory molecule with the greatest translation into the clinic thus far is CTL-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4). CTLA-4 engagement leads to T-cell inhibition by two principle mechanisms. The first involves competitive binding with CD28 for B7 on the antigen-presenting cell. The second is direct intracellular inhibitory signals mediated by the CTLA-4 cytoplasmic tail. Numerous clinical trials testing the blockade of CTLA-4 signaling with fully human monoclonal antibodies have treated a variety of cancers, with the most experience in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Significant antitumor activity as well as potential autoimmune-related toxicities have been observed," wrote F.S Hodi and colleagues, Harvard University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. The researchers concluded: "Further clinical investigation with CTLA-4 blockade, planned clinical trials testing manipulation of other costimulatory molecules, and continued improvement in understanding of costimulatory pathways present a new era of immune therapies for cancer patients." Hodi and colleagues published their study in Clinical Cancer Research (Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4. Clinical Cancer Research, 2007;13(18 Pt 1):5238-42). For more information, contact F.S. Hodi, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Dept. of Medical Oncology, Boston, Massachusetts 02115 USA.. Publisher contact information for the journal Clinical Cancer Research is: American Association Cancer Research, 615 Chestnut St., 17TH Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106-4404, USA. Keywords: United States, Boston, Cancer Vaccines Clinical Trial, Cancer Research, Cancer Vaccines, Clinical Trial Research, Oncology, Therapy, Treatment. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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