This cancer vaccine activates antigen-presenting cells and induces anti-tumor immune system activity for the treatment of diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG). DIPG tumors originate in the pons, an area of the brainstem controlling vital body functions such as breathing and heart rate. DIPG is the main type of brain tumor causing death in children, and it comprises 10-20 percent of all pediatric brain tumor cases. The widely spread nature and location of these tumors prevent early diagnosis, which greatly limits treatment options. Surgical resection is not possible due to the tumors’ location, and chemotherapy has not been successful at treating DIPG. Radiation therapy has been able to shrink tumor size, but this effect is typically short-lived and does not cure patients. Diagnosing patients with DIPG usually occurs between the ages of 5 and 9, and their median survival rate is 10-11 months.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a vaccine that treats DIPG by driving anti-tumor immunity. The global RNA therapeutics and vaccine market is expected to surpass $800 million by the end of 2029. This RNA vaccine delivers liposomal nanoparticles by intravenous injection that activate specific antigen-presenting cells to increase immunogenicity against DIPG. Improved survival rates in animal models have demonstrated the vaccine’s success.
An off-the-shelf vaccine for the treatment of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG)
This RNA vaccine targets a homogenously expressed diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) tumor antigen, allowing for widespread use without the need for customized treatment. The RNA renewably encodes specific DIPG antigens to continuously vaccinate the patient, increasing central memory T-cell levels for sustained anti-tumor immunity. A liposomal nanoparticle delivers the vaccine to prevent RNA degradation.
