Unique Tumor-specific Vaccines
Many leukemias and some solid cancers are associated with chromosome translocations that result in fusion genes and fusion protein products. The amino acid sequences of these fusion proteins, or mutated sequences, can be used to develop tumor-specific vaccines for treating humans. The first such vaccine for treating chronic myelogenous leukemia (using the bcr/abl fusion point) was developed by our laboratory and is currently being used to treat patients. We are also examining the use of mutated heteroclitic peptides with higher avidity for the HLA molecule to use as immunogens.
