Poxvirus-Based Vaccines for Cancer Immunotherapy: New Insights from Combined Cytokines/Co-Stimulatory Molecules Delivery and “Uncommon” Strains

Valerio      Izzi; Marcin      Buler; Laura      Masuelli; Maria   G.   Giganti; Andrea      Modesti; Roberto      Bei

doi:10.2174/18715206113136660376

Abstract

Poxvirus-based vaccines have a long record of efficacy as both anti-tumour agents and vectors for gene therapy in different human tumour models. Interestingly, several studies of these vaccines have now entered the clinical evaluation phase for safety and effectiveness. A desirable outcome of antigen specific cancer immunotherapy is the disruption of host self-tolerance against endogenous tumour-associated antigens (TAAs). Nonetheless, recent studies have found reductions in vaccine efficacy due to host anti-vaccine immune reactions. Thus, newer approaches bringing together poxvirus-based vaccination and immunostimulation are being developed, and new poxvirus strains are being examined in tumour therapy studies.

Our review summarizes the current knowledge on the efficacy of poxvirus-based vaccination on human tumours, with a particular focus on approaches aimed at increasing innate and specific immune responses. Special attention will be devoted to the new poxvirus strains that are currently under consideration for tumour therapy; the current knowledge on clinical trials and outcomes will also be reviewed.

Keywords: Avipoxviruses, cancer vaccine, cytokines, immunostimulation, poxviruses, tumour-associated antigens.

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