Tumor Neoantigens (presented via ImmunoPhage) (TSAs)

Patient-specific tumor neoantigens are unique proteins arising from somatic mutations within a patient's tumor that are not found in healthy tissue, making them ideal targets for highly specific immunotherapy (Montero et al., 2024). These antigens are recognized as foreign by the immune system, which avoids the issues of central tolerance and autoimmunity associated with traditional tumor-associated antigens (PhageNova Bio). The ImmunoPhage platform leverages the inherent immunogenicity of bacteriophages to deliver these personalized antigens directly to the immune system (Staquicini et al., 2011). By engineering phages to present these neoepitopes, the platform functions as a self-adjuvanted vaccine that stimulates a robust T-cell mediated attack against the tumor (PhageNova Bio). This approach is particularly promising for treating various solid tumors by inducing a potent and specific immune response tailored to the individual's mutational profile. Because neoantigens are unique to each patient, this strategy represents a cornerstone of personalized precision oncology, aiming to improve outcomes in cancers that are resistant to standard treatments (Montero et al., 2024).

Other names

Patient-specific tumor antigensTumor-specific antigensNeoepitopesMutation-derived antigensPersonalized tumor antigens

The ImmunoPhage platform utilizes engineered bacteriophages to deliver patient-specific neoantigens. The phage acts as both a delivery vehicle and a natural adjuvant, stimulating professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) like dendritic cells to process and present the neoantigens via MHC molecules. This primes and expands a personalized population of CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells that specifically recognize and destroy tumor cells expressing those unique mutations (PhageNova Bio; Staquicini et al., 2011).