autologous DNP-modified vaccine

A personalized cancer vaccine created from a patient's own (autologous) tumor cells that are chemically modified with the hapten 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). The modification with DNP is designed to enhance the immunogenicity of the tumor cells by making them more recognizable to the immune system. When administered intradermally—often in combination with immune adjuvants such as Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and sometimes low-dose cyclophosphamide—the vaccine aims to stimulate a robust anti-tumor immune response. This approach has been investigated primarily in melanoma but also in other cancers such as ovarian cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer. Clinical studies have shown that patients who develop delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to unmodified or modified tumor cells after vaccination tend to have improved survival outcomes[1][3][4][5][8]. The mechanism of action involves enhanced presentation of tumor antigens and activation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses against the patient’s own cancer[6].

Brand names

M-VaxOVax

Other names

autologous dinitrophenyl-modified ovarian cancer vaccinedinitrophenyl-modified autologous renal cell carcinoma tumor cell vaccine