May 04, 2020
The aim of this study was to develop an oral vaccine that could be used to treat colorectal cancer. Oral vaccines are technically challenging to develop due to the harsh gastric environment but have numerous benefits including high patient acceptability and the potential to stimulate local mucosal immune responses. Therapeutic vaccines are being investigated as options to treat cancer and the generation of local mucosal immunity may be of benefit in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. Novel oral vaccines consisting of a long tumour peptide and the TLR2 (Toll-like receptor 2) ligand Pam2Cys, formulated in either liposomes or W/O/W double emulsions, were developed. Oral dosing with the emulsion vaccine increased the numbers of activated T cells, B cells and CD11c+F4/80+CD11b+ cells compared to mice that received control vaccines. In an orthotopic mouse model of colorectal cancer these immunological changes were associated with a seven-fold reduction in tumour size.
Publication - Summary
Jan 14, 2019
Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy
Publication - Abstract
Aug 21, 2020
Science Advances