neu-expressing GM-CSF-secreting whole cell vaccine

The neu-expressing GM-CSF-secreting whole cell vaccine is an experimental cancer immunotherapy belonging to the GVAX (GM-CSF gene-transfected tumor cell vaccine) class of whole-cell vaccines. It consists of irradiated, allogeneic tumor cells (such as SKBR3 and T47D breast cancer cell lines) genetically engineered to express the HER-2/neu (ErbB2) tumor-associated antigen and to secrete granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Upon administration, the secreted GM-CSF recruits and activates dendritic cells and other antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to the vaccination site, where they take up and process the HER-2/neu antigen. These activated APCs then migrate to local lymph nodes to prime and expand HER-2/neu-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, generating a robust anti-tumor immune response. Developed primarily in academic settings such as Johns Hopkins University, this vaccine has been evaluated in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancers, often in combination with low-dose cyclophosphamide and trastuzumab to overcome immune tolerance.

Other names

3T3-neu/GM vaccineallogeneic HER2-expressing GM-CSF-secreting breast cancer vaccineallogeneic HER2+ GM-CSF-secreting breast tumor vaccineallogeneic, HER-2/neu+, GM-CSF-secreting breast tumor vaccineHER2-expressing GM-CSF-secreting whole cell vaccineHER-2-expressing GM-CSF-secreting whole cell vaccineHER 2-expressing GM-CSF-secreting whole cell vaccineneu-expressing GM-CSF-secreting vaccine