MVA-PCAQ

MVA-PCAQ is a recombinant, replication-deficient modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) viral vector-based cancer vaccine. It encodes four prostate cancer-associated antigens: prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1), and 5T4, an oncofetal antigen. The vaccine is designed to induce a polyclonal T cell response targeting these antigens to kill tumor cells and prevent progression to metastatic disease. MVA-PCAQ is administered as part of a prime-boost immunotherapeutic regimen called VTP-850, where it serves as the boost component following priming with ChAdOx1-PCAQ, an adenoviral vector encoding the same antigens. Preclinical studies have shown that intravenous administration of MVA-PCAQ significantly increases the magnitude and functionality of antigen-specific T cell responses compared to intramuscular administration. The primary indication under investigation is biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after definitive local therapy[1][2][3][5][8].