Technology evaluation: TG-1031, Transgene SA
Doehn, C.; Jocham, D.
Current Opinion in Molecular Therapeutics 2(1): 106-111
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 1464-8431 PMID: 11249647 Document Number: 526109
Tumor-associated antigens have considerable promise not only as diagnostic or prognostic markers but also as targets for active or passive immunotherapy. The epithelial mucin MUC1 is a transmembrane molecule which is expressed by most glandular epithelial cells. Transgene has developed VV-MUC1-IL-2 (TG-1031), an antigen-specific therapy, involving the tumor antigen MUC1 and the cytokine IL-2 combined with a vaccinia virus vector. Vaccinia virus vectors have been shown to stimulate a strong immune response to encoded antigens in vivo. This therapy has potential for the treatment of breast cancer, prostate cancer and other adenocarcinomas and is currently under investigation in phase I and II trials.