multiepitope nucleic acid fusion vaccine

The multiepitope nucleic acid fusion vaccine is an experimental DNA plasmid-based immunotherapy designed for the prevention and treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma (UM). Developed by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University, the vaccine utilizes a plasmid backbone encoding a suite of immunogenic UM-associated epitopes, including the GNAQ/GNA11 Q209L driver mutation and antigens such as PMEL17, TYRP1, PRAME, and SLC45A2. To enhance T-cell activation and antigen presentation, the construct incorporates helper sequences like VP22, PADRE, and Tetanus toxoid P2, along with an MHC class I trafficking domain. Additionally, it features the CCL21 chemokine, transcriptionally linked via a P2A ribosomal skipping peptide, to serve as an intrinsic molecular adjuvant. Preclinical studies in transgenic mice have demonstrated the vaccine's ability to generate cytolytic T cells capable of recognizing and targeting UM cells.

Other names

T cell activating nucleic acid fusion vaccinemultiepitope vaccine