Cellular and molecular chaperone fusion vaccines: targeting resistant cancer cell populations

Int J Hyperthermia. 2013 Aug;29(5):376-9. doi: 10.3109/02656736.2013.792126. Epub 2013 May 17.

Abstract

Molecular chaperone-based vaccines offer a number of advantages for cancer treatment. We have discussed the deployment of a vaccine prepared by gentle isolation of Hsp70 from tumour dendritic cell fusions (Hsp70 fusion vaccine). The vaccine was highly effective in triggering specific T cell immunity and in the treatment of tumour-bearing mice and the preparation was shown to retain an increased amount of tumour antigens compared to other chaperone-based isolates. This approach has the further advantage that tumour sub-populations could be used to prepare the Hsp70 fusion vaccine. Cellular fusion vaccines were made to specifically target drug-resistant cancer cells and tumour cell populations enriched in ovarian cancer stem cells (CSC). Such vaccines showed enhanced capacity to trigger T cell immunity to these resistant ovarian carcinoma populations. We have discussed the potential of using the cellular and Hsp70 fusion vaccine approaches in therapy of treatment-resistant cancer cells and its deployment in combination with ionising radiation or hyperthermia to enhance the effectiveness of both forms of therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells

Substances

  • Cancer Vaccines
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins