NOVEL GLIOMA-SPECIFIC VACCINE FOR PEDIATRIC AND YOUNG-ADULT PATIENTS

Invention Novelty

UCSF researchers have developed a vaccine against pediatric gliomas by targeting a novel epitope.  

Value Proposition

Brain tumors are currently the leading cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity in children. Malignant gliomas, including glioblastoma (GBM) and diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG), are highly aggressive brain tumors. The vast majority of affected children will die within a year of diagnosis despite aggressive therapeutic approaches.

UCSF Researchers have developed a novel vaccine against a mutated epitope specific to pediatric gliomas that occurs in approximately 30 % of overall GBM and 70% of DIPG cases. As this epitope cannot be found in normal cells of the body, the novel vaccine, as well as T cells recognizing this epitope, are highly specific to gliomas carrying this mutation. 

Technology Description

The inventors have targeted a 10 amino acid peptide epitope containing a mutation frequently observed in pediatric gliomas. This epitope can induce specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in HLA-A2+ donors. Induced CTLs can recognize the epitope that is endogenously expressed by HLA-A2+ glioma cell lines that harbor the epitope-specific mutation. The Inventors have also isolated α- and β-chains of cDNAs for T-cell receptor (TCR) from epitope-specific CTL clones, allowing for development of a novel TCR-transduced T-cell therapy targeting the novel epitope. The subset of HLA-A2+ patients is estimated at 40-45%, based on its representation within the US population. 

Application

Therapeutic approaches:

• Glioma vaccine for HLA-A2+ patients
• Adoptive T cell therapy using T cells engineered to recognize glioma-specific epitope

Diagnostic approach:

• Peptide epitope as key component to probe the existence of glioma-specific antibodies in patients 

Looking for Partners

To develop vaccine and T cell-based therapies using this epitope to target pediatric brain tumors

Stage of Development

Preclinical

Data Availability

Under NDA/CDA

Patent Status

Additional Patents Pending