THE NEXT WAVE OF RECOMBINANT AND SYNTHETIC ANTICANCER VACCINES

The identification of tumor-associated antigens (TAA) recognized by T lymphocytes makes the development of antigen-specific synthetic and re combinant vaccines possible. The expression of TAA within a recombinan t vector increases control over the Kinetics and quantity, the molecul ar form, and the subcellular location of the immunogen delivered. The next generation of antitumor vaccines employs cytokines and costimulat ory molecules expressed in concert with TAA that are capable of augmen ting the activation and proliferation of antitumor immune responses. T he ultimate goal of these new strategies, the treatment of established cancer, is now being realized in animal models.