Leukemia-associated antigens (LAA)

The term "Other leukemia-associated antigens encoded by the RNA construct" refers to a collective group of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) targeted by multi-antigen mRNA-based immunotherapies, most notably BioNTech's BNT115 (FixVac). These antigens are proteins that are either uniquely expressed or significantly overexpressed in leukemic cells compared to healthy tissues, making them ideal targets for the immune system. Common examples included in such therapeutic constructs are Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1) and Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME), alongside other undisclosed or specific leukemia-specific markers. The therapeutic strategy involves delivering mRNA encoding these multiple antigens into the patient to stimulate a robust, poly-specific cytotoxic T-cell response. By targeting several antigens simultaneously, the approach aims to minimize the risk of tumor immune escape, which often occurs through the loss of a single targeted antigen. This target group is primarily utilized in the development of treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) (Sources: BioNTech SE, 2024; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04161391; Nature Communications, 2021).

Other names

Tumor-associated antigensLeukemia-specific antigensMulti-antigen RNA construct targetsLAATAA

Induction of antigen-specific T-cell responses against multiple leukemia-associated antigens via mRNA-mediated expression in antigen-presenting cells.