Nano-Vaccine for Melanoma Developed

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a novel nano-vaccine for melanoma that so far has proven effective in preventing the development of melanoma in mouse models and in treating primary tumors and metastases that result from melanoma. The nano-vaccine is described in a paper published today in Nature Nanotechnology.

"The war against cancer in general, and melanoma in particular, has advanced over the years through a variety of treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy; but the vaccine approach, which has proven so effective against various viral diseases, has not materialized yet against cancer," says Prof. Satchi-Fainaro. "In our study, we have shown for the first time that it is possible to produce an effective nano-vaccine against melanoma and to sensitize the immune system to immunotherapies."

The Tel Aviv team utilized tiny particles, about 170 nanometers in size, made of a biodegradable polymer. Within each particle, they "packed" two peptides that are expressed in melanoma cells. They then injected the nanoparticles into a mouse model bearing melanoma.

"The nanoparticles acted just like known vaccines for viral-borne diseases," Prof. Satchi-Fainaro explains. "They stimulated the immune system of the mice, and the immune cells learned to identify and attack cells containing the two peptides—that is, the melanoma cells. This meant that, from now on, the immune system of the immunized mice will attack melanoma cells if and when they appear in the body."

The researchers then examined the effectiveness of the vaccine under three different conditions. First, the vaccine proved to have prophylactic effects. Second, the nanoparticle was combined with immunotherapy and used to treat a primary tumor. The synergistic treatment significantly delayed the progression of the disease and greatly extended the lives of all treated mice. Finally, the researchers validated their approach on tissues taken from patients with melanoma brain metastases. This suggested that the nano-vaccine can be used to treat brain metastases as well.