Virosome vaccines and their application in cancer immunotherapy
Loading...
Date
2010-02-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Asian Biomedicine (Research Reviews and News)
Abstract
Background: An increasing number of tumor associated antigens (TAA) capable of inducing immune responses have been identified in the last two decades. Unfortunately, they are weak immunogens and require potent adjuvants to promote their immunogenicity. Virosomes, nano-lipid vesicles containing viral protein spikes, have been proven amenable for transferring antigen (Ag) to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I processing pathway with the aim to prime cytotoxic T-ymphocytes (CTL) responses. Objective: This mini-review outlines the virosomes platform, ranging from virosomal preparation, their intracellular trafficking and mechanism of action. Methods: The review is directed toward an application of virosomes as a novel and potential vaccine adjuvant in active cancer immunotherapy. Results and conclusion: Virosomes have been proven to be a suitable TAA delivery carrier. Ag encapsulated inside the lumen of virosomes could be prevented from serum- and cell-associated peptidases. Virosomes also facilitated the intracellular trafficking of encapsulated Ag, in which Ag could reach the cytosol and be presented by the MHC-Class I machinery. In addition, virosomes with TAA encapsulated are amenable to be a novel tumor immunotherapeutic strategy.
Description
Keywords
Antigen delivery, cancer immunotherapy, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), vaccines, virosomes
Citation
Asian Biomedicine (Research Reviews and News); Vol. 3 No. 4 August 2009; 365-373