Anti-Idiotype Antibody Vaccines for the Immunotherapy of Cancer.

Certain anti-idiotypic (Id) antibodies that bind to the antigen-combining sites of antibodies can effectively mimic the three-dimensional structures and functions of the external antigens and can be used as surrogate antigens for active specific immunotherapy. Several monoclonal anti-Id antibodies that mimic distinct human tumor-associated antigens have been developed and characterized by others and us. CeaVac (anti-Id 3H1) is an internal image anti-Id antibody that mimics a distinct and specific epitope of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and can be used as a surrogate for CEA. Extensive preclinical studies, as well as results obtained from clinical trials, suggest that vaccination with 3H1 has the potential to augment survival benefits. Anti-Id 3H1 easily breaks immune tolerance to CEA and induces anti-CEA antibody, as well as CD4+ T-helper, responses in colorectal cancer patients and also in mice transgenic for CEA. This chapter summarizes the science behind the development of anti-Id 3H1 and updates our clinical experience that includes all the patients entered on the study thus far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]