mannan-BAM

Mannan-BAM is an investigational immunostimulatory agent designed to enhance the recognition and phagocytosis of tumor cells by the innate immune system. It consists of mannan, a yeast-derived polysaccharide that acts as a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP), conjugated to a Biocompatible Anchor Membrane (BAM) molecule. The BAM moiety allows the mannan to spontaneously anchor into the lipid bilayer of tumor cell membranes upon intratumoral injection or during the preparation of whole-tumor-cell vaccines. Once anchored, the mannan serves as a "eat-me" signal, recruiting and activating antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as macrophages and dendritic cells via mannose receptors. Mannan-BAM is typically used as a core component of the MBTA (Mannan-BAM, TLR ligands, and anti-CD40 antibody) therapeutic regimen, which aims to convert immunologically "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors by stimulating both innate and adaptive anti-tumor immunity. This approach has demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models of pheochromocytoma, glioblastoma, and various metastatic carcinomas.

Other names

Mannan-BAMmannan-biocompatible anchor membrane