A cancer vaccine that targets the tumour vasculature

Towards a cancer vaccine targeting the angiogenic switch - SWITCH

Cancer vaccination is coming of age due to recent breakthrough discoveries that can empower immunity. Yet, most approaches are designed to induce T cell immunity, showing efficacy in only still limited numbers of patients. In addition, current targeted cancer therapies induce drug-resistance, have side effects, are very costly and are less successful than anticipated. In collaboration with CimCure Therapeutics BV, the applicant has developed a technology to induce strong antibody (B cell) responses against proprietary targets in the tumour vasculature and in tumour cells. This approach has several major advantages and has shown proof-of-concept in two preclinical cancer models.

Effective vaccination against cancer would have a number of advantages, among which are the long-term efficacy, the low level of invasiveness, the lack of need for hospitalisation and the superior cost-effectiveness of the approach.

SWITCH embarked on an approach to develop vaccines that target the tumour stroma, i.e. the tumour vasculature. Such approach is not expected to induce drug resistance. The technology applied is iBoost, a proprietary technique for the induction of antibody responses against self-antigens.

Two new vaccines showed promising anti-tumour effects in mouse models of melanoma and colorectal carcinoma. These new vaccines will be translated to human testing, through the next step of more advanced preclinical studies and formal safety testing. The effort to make dual-/multi-targeted vaccines is currently still under extended investigation. The result of SWITCH will contribute to improved global health by improved therapy and reduced incidence of cancer, thereby improving quality of life.

Summary
Within this project novel switch targets have been identified and validated. Vaccines have been developed against these novel targets with the help of iBoost technology. Two new vaccines showed promising anti-tumour effects in mouse models of melanoma and colorectal carcinoma.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
4 - 6
Time period
2 years
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