GM2-KLH + QS-21

GM2-KLH + QS-21 is a **therapeutic cancer vaccine** consisting of the **GM2 ganglioside** conjugated to **keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)** and administered with the **QS-21 adjuvant**. It was developed as an immunotherapy aiming to stimulate both immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibody responses against the GM2 antigen, which is expressed in most melanomas. These antibodies can mediate complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of melanoma cells. The vaccine was tested in large randomized clinical trials as an adjuvant therapy for patients with resected stage II and III melanoma. It did not demonstrate improvement in relapse-free or overall survival compared to observation or high-dose interferon alfa-2b, although it was able to consistently induce anti-GM2 antibody responses in most patients[1][2][3].

Brand names

GM2-KLH + QS-21GMK

Other names

GM2-KLH + QS-21GMK vaccineGM2-KLH/QS-21 vaccine