About KISIMA^TM cancer vaccine

This cancer vaccine is based on the KISIMA^®​ technology platform

Our cancer vaccine is a therapeutic chimeric recombinant protein vaccine that is based on the KISIMA^® technology platform.¹ The KISIMA^® platform is engineered to induce an efficient immune response via activation of helper and cytotoxic T cells, and to promote immunologic memory.³

In order to induce a potent tumor-specific immune response, a therapeutic vaccine needs to stimulate multi-epitopic CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated immunity, induce CD4⁺ helper T cells and promote immunologic memory.⁴ Our KISIMA™ cancer vaccine includes three components in a single fusion protein: first, a cell-penetrating peptide for antigen delivery; second, a multi-antigenic cargo that is tailored to raise an immune response against colorectal tumors; and third, a toll-like receptor (TLR) peptide agonist as an adjuvant.⁵

Functional components and targets of our KISIMA™ cancer vaccine^3,5-7

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Our cancer vaccine is based on the KISIMA® technology platform and includes three components that are designed to penetrate cells, raise a tumor-specific immune response and provide co-stimulatory signals.³
Adapted from Belnoue E, et al. JCI Insight 2019;4(11):e127305.
ASCL2, Achaete-scute complex homolog 2; CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen; TLR, toll-like receptor.

Mechanism of action

The KISIMA™ cancer vaccine is engineered to induce an efficient immune response and promote immunologic memory via the activation of cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells.^1,4,7 

1. The cell-penetrating peptide facilitates the delivery of the vaccine into antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells

2. The TLR component induces the upregulation of costimulatory molecules, activating dendritic cells

3. Cancer-specific antigens are processed, and the presentation of the CRC-specific multi-antigenic domain activates antigen-specific CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells

4. CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells become primed and educated to recognize and target tumor cells, while CD4⁺ helper T cells are triggered to release cytokines

5. Cytokine release from T cells, as well as dendritic cells, leads to a cytotoxic T-cell response

Protein-based immunotherapeutic cancer vaccine mechanism of action^1,4,7

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CPP, cell-penetrating peptide; MAD, multiple antigenic domain; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; TCR, T-cell receptor; TLRag, toll-like receptor peptide agonist.