Synthesis of Lipoprotein Immunostimulants for Treating Prostate Cancer
Abstract
The prospects of stimulating a patient's own immune system as a therapeutic approach to the treatment of cancer in general, and prostate cancer in particular, is intriguing. However, thus far immunotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of cancer (including prostate cancer) in the clinical setting have not been uniformly successful. We are chemically synthesizing molecular conjugates that comprise a Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) ligand covalently linked to a prostate cancer tumor-associated antigen protein or peptide. Using this tactic, we anticipate that the TLR-ligand portion of the conjugates will stimulate dendritic cells (DCs) (as well as other TLR-expressing antigen presenting cells) to secrete immune-activating cytokines. Concomitantly the tumor antigen component of the complex will be processed and presented to activated T cells. In this way, a new and potent immune system stimulation and antigen presentation mechanism aimed at the stimulation of combined CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell responses, along with B-cell activation via the innate/adaptive immune response connection, is being developed. We have prepared TLR-4 and TLR-7 ligands and are preparing mouse immunization experiments to test the efficacy of this new approach to cancer immunotherapy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA423265
Entities
People
- Jerald C. Hinshaw
Organizations
- University of Utah