BTIC lysate vaccine + imiquimod

This investigational immunotherapy combination consists of a brain tumor initiating cell (BTIC) lysate vaccine and the Toll-like receptor 7/8 (TLR7/8) agonist imiquimod. Developed by the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota, the therapy is designed to treat aggressive brain tumors, specifically diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The vaccine utilizes a lysate derived from BTICs to present a broad spectrum of tumor-associated antigens to the immune system, aiming to overcome the heterogeneity of high-grade gliomas. Imiquimod is applied topically as an adjuvant to enhance the immune response by activating dendritic cells and other innate immune components at the vaccination site. The treatment protocol is typically combined with radiation therapy, which is intended to upregulate NKG2D ligands on tumor cells, thereby sensitizing them to attack by vaccine-induced lymphocytes.

Other names

Brain tumor initiating cell lysate vaccineImiquimod/BTIC Lysate-Based VaccineBTIC vaccine