What is the new intratumoral vaccine developed by Shenzhen Bay Laboratory?

It's a synthetic molecule called iVAC that degrades PD-L1 on tumor cells and delivers a viral antigen to redirect immune memory T cells against cancer.

How does the iVAC molecule help fight cancer?

iVAC prevents tumors from suppressing the immune system and uses the body's existing memory T cells, originally targeting viruses like CMV, to attack cancer cells.

Can this new cancer treatment be used in humans soon?

The research team is developing translational molecules and aims to progress this technology toward future clinical trials.

Home / Science / New Vaccine Turns Immune Memory Against Cancer

New Vaccine Turns Immune Memory Against Cancer

9 Jan

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Summary

Intratumoral vaccine molecule prevents cancer immune suppression.
It redirects pre-existing immune memory to attack tumors.
iVAC molecule degrades PD-L1 and delivers viral antigen.

New Vaccine Turns Immune Memory Against Cancer

Scientists have engineered a novel "intratumoral vaccine" molecule that offers a new strategy for cancer treatment. This innovative compound targets cancer cells directly, preventing them from suppressing the body's immune response. It simultaneously harnesses the immune system's existing memory to recognize and destroy malignant cells.

The dual-action molecule, named iVAC, works by degrading the PD-L1 protein on tumor cells, thereby releasing the immune system's brakes. Critically, it also delivers a viral antigen, marking the tumors with a foreign signature. This marking effectively redirects dormant "bystander T cells," which retain memory from prior infections, to identify and eliminate cancer cells.

Tests in mouse models and patient-derived tumor clusters have shown significant anti-tumor activity, validating the potential of this approach. Researchers are now developing this technology for future clinical trials, aiming to translate these promising findings into patient therapies.