The identification of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs), aberrant types of glycans decorating the surface of tumor cells, has paved the way for the development of a new type of cancer active immunotherapy based on cancer vaccines. While significant progress has been made in this area of research, TACA-based cancer vaccines have not yet reached the clinic.
Our projects address some limitations that characterize classical approaches in carbohydrate cancer vaccine development, while focusing at understanding how to exploit glycans as both tumor-associated epitopes and vaccine adjuvants. Employing a carbohydrate chemistry approach, these projects explore synthetic glycans as a tool to contribute to current efforts in cancer research in a multidisciplinary and intersectoral environment. Moreover, the research will afford novel information in terms of carbohydrate-based cancer vaccine efficacy, enabling the definition of which parameters in carbohydrate vaccine design and formulation are essential and can be tailored to elicit the desired immune response.
Output: ChemRxiv
Previous projects: ARGONAUT ‒ from the synthesis of gAnglioside tumouR antiGens to a platfOrm for caNcer Active immunotherapy (MSCA‒IF grant ID 841278, August 2019 ‒ July 2021). Twitter: @msca_argonaut