Cancer Vaccine Development for Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer vaccines are advanced immunotherapeutic treatments designed to recognize and attack ovarian cancer cells by activating the patient's immune system. Alfa Cytology is dedicated to pioneering research and development in this field, with a particular focus on the design and optimization of innovative ovarian cancer vaccines.

Overview of Cancer Vaccine

With advances in cancer immunotherapy, vaccines have become a key research focus. Initially, development targeted antigens like CA-125 specific to ovarian cancer. Progress in science and technology has allowed exploration of more complex vaccines, such as gene, tumor cell, and viral vector vaccines. These innovative strategies aim to boost treatment efficacy and reduce recurrence risk by enhancing immune recognition and destruction of ovarian cancer cells.

Fig 1. Strategies for presentation of tumor associated antigens in ovarian cancer vaccines. (CHOW S, et al., 2020)

Ovarian Cancer Vaccines

Tumor Antigen Vaccines (TAVs): These vaccines target specific antigens that are unique to ovarian cancer cells or are overexpressed in these cells.

Gene Vaccines: These vaccines use vectors (DNA or RNA) to deliver genes encoding tumor antigens, promoting their production in the body and triggering an immune response.

Tumor Cell Vaccines: These vaccines use treated cancer cells, such as inactivated or genetically modified cells, to elicit an immune response.

Viral Vector Vaccines (VVVs): These vaccines employ modified viruses (e.g., adenovirus, lentivirus) as vectors to deliver tumor antigen genes into the body, thereby stimulating the immune system.

Our Services

Alfa Cytology is dedicated to pioneering research and development in ovarian cancer vaccines through the efforts of our exceptional research team and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. We leverage cutting-edge technology and comprehensive scientific investigation to explore and create novel vaccines, with a steadfast commitment to enhancing their efficacy and safety.

Dendritic Cell-Based Vaccine

The body's immune response against ovarian tumors is enhanced by extracting dendritic cells (DCs), binding them to cancer antigens in vitro, activating them, and reintroducing them into the body.

Peptide-Based Vaccine

Ovarian cancer protein/peptide vaccines with tumor-derived proteins or peptides are used to boost immunity. Combining these antigens with adjuvants enhances the vaccine's effectiveness against cancer cells.

Recombinant Viral-Based Vaccine

Engineered viral vaccines are utilized to trigger an immune response against ovarian cancer by inserting genes for cancer-specific antigens, which are expressed upon infection, thereby stimulating immunity.

Workflow of Vaccine Development

Identification of Antigens

Researchers begin by identifying tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) that are specifically expressed or overexpressed in ovarian cancer cells. These antigens are crucial as they will be the target of the vaccine.

Vaccine Design

Once the antigens are identified, the next step is to design a vaccine that can effectively induce an immune response against these antigens. This might involve the use of protein or peptide antigens, mRNA vaccines, viral vector-based vaccines, or dendritic cell-based vaccines.

In Vitro Studies

Laboratory studies are conducted to assess the immune response to the vaccine. Researchers evaluate whether the vaccine can stimulate the desired immune cells, such as T-cells or antibodies, to target and kill ovarian cancer cells.

Animal Studies

The vaccine is then tested in animal models of ovarian cancer. These studies help to assess the vaccine's efficacy in inducing an immune response and its ability to prevent or reduce tumor growth.
Animal studies also provide important data on the safety and potential side effects of the vaccine.

Alfa Cytology is dedicated to developing innovative ovarian cancer vaccines and continuously exploring new opportunities in this field. If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

CHOW S, BEREK J S, DORIGO O. Development of Therapeutic Vaccines for Ovarian Cancer [J]. Vaccines (Basel), 2020, 8(4).

! For research use only.