Oxford Vacmedix, a spinout from Oxford University, is at the forefront of developing therapeutic cancer vaccines. Their innovative technology, based on Recombinant Overlapping Peptides (ROP), aims to harness the body's immune system to fight existing cancer in patients.
When we think of vaccines, we often associate them with the prevention of diseases before they occur. They typically target infectious agents like viruses or bacteria by preparing the immune system to recognize and attack the pathogen if it is encountered in the future. Examples of preventive vaccines include the HPV vaccine, which prevents cervical cancer by targeting the human papillomavirus, and the influenza vaccine, which prevents the flu.
In contrast, therapeutic cancer vaccines are designed to treat existing cancer by stimulating the immune system to attack cancer cells. These vaccines target specific proteins or antigens expressed by cancer cells and are administered to patients who already have cancer, helping their immune system recognize and destroy the cancer cells. This targeted approach to cancer treatment is much gentler for patients with the potential for fewer side effects compared to traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
"The fundamental issue with cancer is that the body doesn't recognize it as something harmful, allowing it to grow uncontrollably. Our approach trains the body to recognize the cancer as an unwanted invader, effectively lighting it up and saying, 'this is what you need to attack.' This helps the immune system target and destroy the cancer cells," explains Oxford Vacmedix CEO William Finch.
Oxford Vacmedix's core technology involves creating overlapping peptide sequences from cancer-associated proteins. These peptides are then used to stimulate the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. The process begins with the selection of proteins commonly expressed by cancer cells. For example, Oxford Vacmedix's lead vaccine targets the survivin protein, which is over-expressed in most solid tumors.
The selected protein is broken down into overlapping peptides, ensuring that all possible antigenic regions of the protein are covered, increasing the likelihood of a strong immune response. These overlapping peptides are synthesized using genetic engineering techniques that ensure consistency and scalability in production and are presented in the vaccine as a recombinant protein chain. When administered to a patient, this chain is broken down, and the individual peptides are presented to the immune system. The immune cells, particularly T cells, recognize these peptides as foreign and mount an immune response. The activated T cells then target and attack cancer cells expressing the original protein, leading to the destruction of the tumor.
The ROP technology has several key advantages. It is broadly applicable across various human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types, making it suitable for a diverse patient population and avoiding the need for expensive personalized treatment. It also enhances immunogenicity by stimulating both CD8 and CD4 T-cells, leading to a robust immune response. The recombinant approach simplifies production and reduces costs, making the technology more accessible. Furthermore, ROP technology can be combined with checkpoint inhibitors, enhancing and extending their effectiveness. The flexibility of the platform allows for the adaptation and development of multiple vaccines, reducing risk and enabling continuous innovation.
Oxford Vacmedix's cancer vaccines have shown significant promise in preclinical and early clinical trials. The Phase One clinical trials, which primarily aim to demonstrate safety, have already revealed immune responses and even some clinical responses, which is an encouraging bonus. This early success suggests that the vaccines not only stimulate the immune system but also have a real potential to impact tumor growth and patient outcomes.
"We're currently in trials and have been really impressed with the enthusiasm and support from our clinical investigators, who are the doctors treating our patients. We receive letters every week from patients asking to join the trial. Doctors and patients are all very keen to see the clinical development of the vaccines move forward," states Executive Chairman Dr Anthony Coombs.
Oxford Vacmedix's work exemplifies the potential for therapeutic vaccines to transform cancer care, offering targeted, effective, and less invasive treatment options that harness the body's natural defenses. To find out more about the Oxford Vacmedix, visit www.oxfordvacmedix.com.
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