Office of Technology Development

Immunity Against Human Cancer Cells Induced by Altered Antigen

SK 749

Summary of Invention

Immune recognition of human cancer is commonly directed against differentiation antigens. A differentiation antigen is expressed in a cell lineage at a distinct stage of differentiation and distinguishes one cell type or cell lineage from other types or lineages. Immunity to differentiation antigen is difficult to elicit due to immune tolerance.

This invention demonstrates that the tolerance of the immune system for differentiation antigens can be overcome, and an immune response against cancer cells can be stimulated by immunization with an “altered” differentiation antigen. Such “alteration” is done in one of three ways. First, the antigen can be expressed in cells of a species different from the individual being treated. Second, the antigen can be expressed in a mutant form, for example a glycosylation or a phosphorylation mutant. Third, the antigen may be a differentiation antigen of the same type from a species different from the individual being treated (use of the term “species” has a broader scope than just humans and animals).

Advantages

Altered antigen-induced immunity encompasses both cellular and humoral components.

Areas of Application

Cancer vaccines

Stage of Development

Clinical studies in progress

Lead Inventor

Alan Houghton, MD

Patent Information

U.S. patents issued: 6, 328, 969 and 7, 556, 805 and 8, 021, 666
National patents issued in Canada, Japan
National stage application in Europe

Licensing strategy

“Field of use” licenses

References

Naftzger C, et al. (1996) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 93(25):14809-14814

Contact Information

Yashodhara Dash, MBBS, PhD, MBA
Tel. 212-639-6181; Fax212-717-3439
E-mail: dashy@mskcc.org

Categories

Vaccines

antigen (AN-tih-jen)

Any substance that causes the body to make a specific immune response.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cell (sel)

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)

Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

differentiation (DIH-feh-REN-shee-AY-shun)

In cancer, refers to how mature (developed) the cancer cells are in a tumor. Differentiated tumor cells resemble normal cells and tend to grow and spread at a slower rate than undifferentiated or poorly differentiated tumor cells, which lack the structure and function of normal cells and grow uncontrollably.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

immune response (ih-MYOON reh-SPONTS)

The activity of the immune system against foreign substances (antigens).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

immune system (ih-MYOON SIS-tem)

The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infections and other diseases.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

immunity (ih-MYOO-nih-tee)

The condition of being protected against an infectious disease. Immunity can be caused by a vaccine, previous infection with the same agent, or by transfer of immune substances from another person or animal.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

immunization (IH-myoo-nih-ZAY-shun)

A technique used to cause an immune response that results in resistance to a specific disease, especially an infectious disease.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

phosphorylation (fos-FOR-ih-LAY-shun)

A process in which a phosphate group is added to a molecule, such as a sugar or a protein.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

stage (stayj)

The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)