A novel adjuvant Ling Zhi-8 for cancer DNA vaccines

Hum Vaccin. 2011 Nov;7(11):1161-4. doi: 10.4161/hv.7.11.17753. Epub 2011 Nov 1.

Abstract

DNA vaccines have a wide range of applications, with several potential advantages compared to other vaccine technologies for diseases. No DNA vaccine has yet been licensed in humans; however, a lot of effort has been made to enhance their potential as human vaccines and therapeutics. Finding an effective adjuvant is a strategy to improve the efficacy of DNA vaccines. We recently identified a fungal immunomodulatory protein Ling Zhi-8 (LZ-8) with stimulatory activity on dendritic cells (DCs) that significantly increases the efficacy of a cancer DNA vaccine in a preclinical tumor model, suggesting that LZ-8 may be a good candidate adjuvant for vaccine development. Here we discuss the possibility for applying LZ-8 to a cancer DNA vaccine for humans.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Breast Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Female
  • Fungal Proteins / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation
  • Mice
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antibodies
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • LZ-8 protein, Ganoderma lucidum