Cancer vaccines: Targeting KRAS-driven cancers

Y Zhang, JA Ma, HX Zhang, YN Jiang… - Expert Review of …, 2020 - Taylor & Francis
Y Zhang, JA Ma, HX Zhang, YN Jiang, WH Luo
Expert Review of Vaccines, 2020Taylor & Francis
Introduction: Mutant KRAS is a genetic driver of multiple cancers that has challenged clinical
anti-cancer therapeutics in the last 3 decades. Neo-antigens encoded by KRAS mutations
have been identified as tumor-specific with high immunogenicity and can be used to deliver
precision cancer vaccines to promote anti-tumor immune responses. KRAS mutation-based
cancer vaccines have produced encouraging preclinical and clinical results. Cancer
vaccines represent a promising approach to treat KRAS-driven cancers. Areas covered: In …
Abstract
Introduction: Mutant KRAS is a genetic driver of multiple cancers that has challenged clinical anti-cancer therapeutics in the last 3 decades. Neo-antigens encoded by KRAS mutations have been identified as tumor-specific with high immunogenicity and can be used to deliver precision cancer vaccines to promote anti-tumor immune responses. KRAS mutation-based cancer vaccines have produced encouraging preclinical and clinical results. Cancer vaccines represent a promising approach to treat KRAS-driven cancers.
Areas covered: In this review, we summarize the development and progress of vaccines targeting KRAS and evaluate their potential benefits and obstacles in the current landscape of therapy for KRAS-driven cancers.
Expert opinion: KRAS mutation-based cancer vaccines can induce immunogenicity in patients with KRAS-driven cancers. However, the mechanisms of tumor suppression including cellular and molecular factors within the tumor microenvironment may limit vaccine efficacy. Combining KRAS-driven therapeutic cancer vaccines with other methods and adjuvants can circumvent immunosuppression and promote therapeutic successes.
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