ZVex + OVA

ZVex + OVA is a preclinical cancer vaccine construct utilizing the ZVex lentiviral vector platform to deliver the model antigen ovalbumin (OVA). Developed by Immune Design (now part of Merck), ZVex is a hybrid, integration-deficient lentiviral vector (IDLV) specifically engineered to target and transduce dendritic cells (DCs) in vivo via the DC-SIGN (CD209) receptor. Upon subcutaneous administration, the vector selectively infects DCs, leading to the endogenous expression of the OVA protein. This protein is then processed and presented on MHC class I molecules, which induces a robust expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. In research settings, ZVex + OVA is frequently used to study the induction of anti-tumor immunity and is often combined with adjuvants like G100 (a TLR4 agonist) to enhance the inflammatory tumor microenvironment and promote antigen spreading.

Other names

ZVex expressing ovalbumin