ASCI: a potential treatment for a wide range of cancers
Different types of cancer can display the same antigen. For example, the same MAGE-A3 antigen is found in several types of cancer including lung cancer, melanoma and bladder cancer. A single ASCI* that targets this antigen therefore has the potential to treat many types of cancer.
However, patients with a given type of cancer may not all have a particular antigen. For instance, the MAGE-A3 antigen is only found in 30 to 40% of patients with NSCLC (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer). Another antigen is also found in some patients with NSCLC. In the future an ASCI* could be developed that targets this second antigen, and together these ASCI* could provide a treatment for more NSCLC patients. In melanoma, MAGE-A3 is present in about 65% of patients.
There is a broad range of cancer antigens. Developing these for incorporation into other ASCI* treatments could potentially produce treatments for more types of cancer.
Several antigens to be included in ASCI*s are in research and development, some in collaboration with leading cancer research centers such as the Ludwig Institute.
