Bvax

Bvax is an autologous B-cell-based immunotherapy vaccine developed by Dr. Catalina Lee-Chang at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine for the treatment of glioblastoma. The vaccine is produced by collecting a patient's B cells via leukapheresis and activating them ex vivo with CD40 agonism and interferon-gamma (IFNγ) stimulation, which induces the expression of 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL). Once reinfused, these activated B cells migrate to secondary lymphoid organs and the tumor microenvironment. They function as potent antigen-presenting cells that enhance the survival and anti-tumor activity of CD8+ T cells through antigen cross-presentation. Furthermore, Bvax cells differentiate into antibody-producing plasmablasts that target factors associated with cell motility and the extracellular matrix, thereby inhibiting the migration and invasion of glioblastoma cells. Bvax is currently being investigated in a Phase I clinical trial in combination with standard-of-care chemoradiotherapy and autologous CD8+ T cell reinfusion for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Other names

B-cell vaccinationB-cell-based vaccineBVax