Enhanced immunogenicity of a nanoparticle therapeutic cancer vaccine targeting HAAH delivered intradermally using 3M's hollow microstructured transdermal system (hMTS)

Background We are evaluating the immunogenicity and efficacy of a nanoparticle vaccine (NPV) targeting the tumor marker human aspartyl (asparaginyl) b-hydroxylase (HAAH). HAAH is an embryonic protein that is over-expressed on the surface of cancer cells, is demonstrated to be responsible for cell proliferation, motility and invasiveness, processes which can be inhibited by anti-HAAH antibodies in vitro. We have developed novel anticancer NPVs in which portions of the HAAH molecule are expressed on l-phage (200-300 copies per NPV). These NPVs produce high-titer anti-HAAH polyclonal antibodies in mice despite the fact that the HAAH protein is highly conserved between mammalian species. We have shown that the NPV inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in mouse liver and breast cancer models and inhibits metastasis in a rat prostate cancer model, inducing both humoral and cellular responses. We report here the use of 3M’s hollow microstructured transdermal system (hMTS) to determine if this intradermal (ID) delivery device further enhances immunogenicity of the NPV.