IMP3-targeted engineered mitochondrial vaccine

The IMP3-targeted engineered mitochondrial vaccine is an experimental cancer immunotherapy developed by West China Hospital, Sichuan University. This vaccine platform utilizes engineered mitochondria as both a delivery vehicle and an innate adjuvant to present the tumor-associated antigen IMP3 (Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3) to the immune system. IMP3 is an oncofetal protein that is frequently overexpressed in various malignancies, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), where it is associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis. By leveraging the intrinsic immunogenicity of mitochondria—which act as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) due to their evolutionary bacterial origins—the vaccine aims to stimulate a robust T-cell response against IMP3-expressing tumor cells. It is currently being evaluated in Phase 1 clinical trials as a neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy, often in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, for patients with resectable, locally advanced HNSCC.

Other names

IMP3-targeted engineered mitochondrial cancer vaccineIMP-3-targeted engineered mitochondrial cancer vaccineIMP 3-targeted engineered mitochondrial cancer vaccine