A Cancer Therapeutic Vaccine based on Clustered Tn-Antigen Mimetics Induces Strong Antibody-Mediated Protective Immunity

Tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) are key components of cancer vaccines. A variety of vaccines based on native TACAs such as alpha-Tn have shown immunogenicity and protection in preclinical animal studies, however, their weak immunogenicity, low in vivo instability, and poor bioavailability, have discouraged their further evaluations in clinical studies. A new improved vaccine prototype is reported. It is composed of four clustered Tn-antigen mimetics and a immunogenic peptide epitope that are conjugated to a cyclopeptide carrier. The immunization of mice with this vaccine 1) was safe, 2) induced a strong and long-lasting Tn-specific response with IgM/IgG antibodies able to recognize native carbohydrate antigens; 3) produced high titers of IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG3 antibodies; and 4) produced a significant antibodydependent regression of tumors and conferred protection. Altogether, these findings pave the way for the clinical development of safe and effective therapeutic vaccines against Tn-expressing cancers.