personalized tumor vaccine (Washington University School of Medicine)

This personalized tumor vaccine is an investigational neoantigen-based immunotherapy developed by the Washington University School of Medicine for the treatment of relapsed follicular lymphoma. The vaccine consists of synthetic long peptides (SLPs) that are custom-designed for each patient based on tumor-specific neoantigens identified through whole-exome and RNA sequencing of the patient's tumor biopsy. Each patient typically receives approximately 20 peptides representing 12-19 unique high-quality neoantigens, which are pooled and administered via subcutaneous injection. The therapeutic strategy involves co-administration with the adjuvant poly-ICLC (a TLR3 agonist) and the anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab to stimulate and enhance a robust T-cell immune response against the malignancy. Preliminary results from a first-in-human pilot trial demonstrated that the approach is feasible and safe, with evidence of clinical response in evaluable patients.

Other names

Personalized neoantigen cancer vaccineSynthetic long peptide vaccineSLP vaccinePersonalized tumor vaccine + nivolumab