Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a novel synthetic compound that mimics cancer cell antigens and can significantly enhance the immune system’s production of antibodies against cancer cells. This breakthrough offers a promising new direction for developing cancer vaccines that target various cancer types.
In the human body, cancer cells can suppress or eliminate the production of antibodies that target and eliminate them. Therefore, developing cancer vaccines involves modifying or creating a mimic of an antigen found on the surface of cancer cells to stimulate or restore this antibody production. In recent years, scientists have explored carbohydrates found on cancer cell surfaces to develop these antigens.
However, ferrying such antigens into the body using artificial proteins or virus particles as carriers can be problematic, as these carriers can be large, cause side effects, and sometimes reduce antibody production against cancer cells. The IISc team, led by Professor N. Jayaraman from the Department of Organic Chemistry, took a different approach by exploiting the carrying ability of a natural protein called serum albumin, the most abundant protein in blood plasma.
The researchers synthesized a truncated carbohydrate called Tn, commonly found on the surface of cancer cells, and combined it with a long-chain, oil-loving chemical to form bubble-like micelles. They discovered that this combination binds strongly to human serum albumin. When injected into mice models, the compound accumulated primarily in lymph nodes, where crucial cellular mechanisms involved in the immune response occur, including the activation of killer T cells and antibody production.
The IISc team is optimistic that their compound can be further developed for vaccine development and clinical trials. PhD student Keerthana T.V. explained, “The Tn antigen is present on almost all cancer cells, including breast cancer and prostate cancer cells. By modifying the type of antigen, we can target multiple cancers with our approach.”
