Adaptable antigens

Adaptable antigens refer to a conceptual class of immunogenic molecules, particularly in the context of oncology and virology, characterized by high mutational plasticity and intratumoral heterogeneity [1, 2]. In diseases like glioblastoma (GBM), the genetic instability of the tumor leads to the continuous emergence of new epitopes, which allows the disease to evade therapies targeting a single, static antigen [1, 3]. Therapeutic strategies such as the MBTA (Mannan-BAM, TLR ligands, and anti-CD40 antibody) vaccine aim to address this challenge by leveraging the host's innate immune system to identify and process a wide array of these evolving antigens [1, 2]. This approach facilitates a broad-spectrum adaptive immune response capable of recognizing multiple tumor-specific targets simultaneously [1, 4]. Understanding the dynamics of adaptable antigens is crucial for developing effective personalized immunotherapies and overcoming resistance caused by antigenic drift or shift [1, 5].

Other names

Tumor neoantigensHeterogeneous antigensMutational antigensEvolving epitopes

Induction of a broad-spectrum adaptive immune response against multiple, evolving tumor epitopes to overcome intratumoral heterogeneity and mutational escape.