Scholarlink

<p>Immune modulatory vaccines (IMVs) are an emerging class of immunotherapies designed to expand anti-regulatory T cells (anti-Tregs) that selectively target immunosuppressive elements within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Unlike conventional cancer vaccines aimed at tumor-associated antigens on malignant cells, IMVs target tumor microenvironment antigens (TMAs), such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), PD-L1, arginase-1 (ARG1), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which are expressed by malignant, myeloid, regulatory, endothelial, and stromal populations. IMVs elicit both CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T-cell responses: CD8⁺ T cells can mediate cytotoxic elimination of TMA-expressing suppressive cells, whereas CD4⁺ T cells can induce proinflammatory cytokine programs that reprogram myeloid and stromal compartments toward immune-permissive states. Through these combined cytolytic and modulatory mechanisms, IMVs remodel suppressive cellular networks, improve antigen presentation, enhance immune infiltration, and amplify endogenous tumor-specific immunity. Early-phase clinical studies targeting IDO and PD-L1 have shown robust immunogenicity, favorable tolerability, and encouraging activity across multiple solid tumors, particularly in combination with immune checkpoint blockade. A phase III study in first-line advanced melanoma recently demonstrated that a therapeutic vaccine, when combined with anti–PD-1 therapy, can improve progression-free survival in patients with metastatic disease. The strongest signal was observed in PD-1–naïve disease and in PD-L1–negative tumors. Next-generation IMVs directed against ARG1 and TGF-β aim to address immune exclusion and desmoplastic stroma and are being developed across peptide- and mRNA-based platforms with favorable safety profiles that support evaluation in earlier-stage settings. Beyond oncology, analogous microenvironment antigens are induced in chronic and acute infections, suggesting that IMV principles may generalize to settings where regulatory circuits constrain pathogen clearance.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Immune modulatory vaccines targeting tumor microenvironment antigens: recent advances in oncology and beyond

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月10日

查看全文
  • Mads Hald Andersen

摘要

Immune modulatory vaccines (IMVs) are an emerging class of immunotherapies designed to expand anti-regulatory T cells (anti-Tregs) that selectively target immunosuppressive elements within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Unlike conventional cancer vaccines aimed at tumor-associated antigens on malignant cells, IMVs target tumor microenvironment antigens (TMAs), such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), PD-L1, arginase-1 (ARG1), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which are expressed by malignant, myeloid, regulatory, endothelial, and stromal populations. IMVs elicit both CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T-cell responses: CD8⁺ T cells can mediate cytotoxic elimination of TMA-expressing suppressive cells, whereas CD4⁺ T cells can induce proinflammatory cytokine programs that reprogram myeloid and stromal compartments toward immune-permissive states. Through these combined cytolytic and modulatory mechanisms, IMVs remodel suppressive cellular networks, improve antigen presentation, enhance immune infiltration, and amplify endogenous tumor-specific immunity. Early-phase clinical studies targeting IDO and PD-L1 have shown robust immunogenicity, favorable tolerability, and encouraging activity across multiple solid tumors, particularly in combination with immune checkpoint blockade. A phase III study in first-line advanced melanoma recently demonstrated that a therapeutic vaccine, when combined with anti–PD-1 therapy, can improve progression-free survival in patients with metastatic disease. The strongest signal was observed in PD-1–naïve disease and in PD-L1–negative tumors. Next-generation IMVs directed against ARG1 and TGF-β aim to address immune exclusion and desmoplastic stroma and are being developed across peptide- and mRNA-based platforms with favorable safety profiles that support evaluation in earlier-stage settings. Beyond oncology, analogous microenvironment antigens are induced in chronic and acute infections, suggesting that IMV principles may generalize to settings where regulatory circuits constrain pathogen clearance.