Vaccine CIGB 247 is potentially safe for use as a novel therapeutic vaccine against cancer in Chlorocebus aethiops monkeys

Abstract

CIGB 247 is a novel cancer therapeutic vaccine based on human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) variant molecule as antigen, in combination with a bacterial adjuvant. This vaccine candidate has previously demonstrated efficacy and safety in mice, rats, rabbits and non-human primates. In the present study we evaluated the effects on the clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters of CIGB 247 vaccine in Chlorocebus aethiops monkeys. Three groups of monkeys were immunized with three doses of vaccine formulation to measure physiological values of clinical, hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Monkeys' body weight and temperature were kept stable and close to standard values throughout the study. Variations in the levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin were observed among the different groups for all injected doses, but these hematological parameters recovered normal values at the end of the study. On the other hand, biochemical parameters such as the total bilirubin and total protein counts showed variations along the study, while they were not associated with the test substance. In summary, no negative effects on clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters were detected. Together, our results put forward the potential and support the safety of the CIGB 247 vaccine candidate for use in clinical applications. The data presented here can be used to estimate a human dosing regimen from preclinical data.

Keywords: African green monkeys; CIGB 247; Cancer; Clinical; Hematology; Serum biochemistry; VEGF.