Tumor blood vessel antigen (TBVA) (TBVA)

Tumor blood vessel antigens (TBVAs) are a group of proteins, such as VEGFR2, TEM8, and DLK1, that are preferentially expressed on the endothelial cells of tumor-associated vasculature (Okada et al., 2011, J Clin Oncol). These antigens serve as therapeutic targets for immunotherapies designed to disrupt the tumor's blood supply, thereby starving the tumor of nutrients and oxygen (Popescu et al., 2014, Expert Rev Vaccines). In the context of alpha-type-1 polarized dendritic cell (\u03b1DC1) therapy, these antigens are loaded onto DCs that have been matured with a specific cytokine cocktail to produce high levels of IL-12p70 (Mailliard et al., 2004, Cancer Res). This polarization is essential for driving a robust Th1-mediated immune response and generating high-affinity cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that specifically target the tumor endothelium. By focusing on the relatively stable and accessible tumor vasculature, this approach aims to overcome the challenges of tumor cell heterogeneity and poor drug penetration. Clinical investigations, such as those for glioblastoma (NCT01215435), have utilized this platform to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of targeting the tumor microenvironment's infrastructure.

Other names

Tumor endothelial markersTEMsTumor vasculature antigensTumor-associated endothelial antigens

Induction of a Th1-polarized cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against tumor-associated endothelial cells to disrupt tumor angiogenesis and suppress tumor growth.