mRNA‐based Vaccines Targeting the T‐cell Epitope‐rich Domain of Epstein Barr Virus Latent Proteins Elicit Robust Anti‐Tumor Immunity in Mice

• Published in: Advanced science Vol. 10; no. 35; pp. e2302116 - n/a
• Main Authors: Zhao, Ge‐Xin, Bu, Guo‐Long, Liu, Gang‐Feng, Kong, Xiang‐Wei, Sun, Cong, Li, Zi‐Qian, Dai, Dan‐Ling, Sun, Hai‐Xia, Kang, Yin‐Feng, Feng, Guo‐Kai, Zhong, Qian, Zeng, Mu‐Sheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.12.2023; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens; cancer immunotherapies; Cells; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; Epstein-Barr virus; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - therapy; Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV); Genomes; Herpesvirus 4, Human - genetics; Infections; Kinases; Localization; Lymphocytes; Lymphoma; Membrane Proteins; Mice; mRNA Vaccines; Nanoparticles; nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); Neoplasms; Proteins; RNA, Messenger - genetics; Signal transduction; Spleen; Tumors; mRNA vaccines; cancer immunotherapies; nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
• ISSN: 2198-3844; 2198-3844
• DOI: 10.1002/advs.202302116

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) is associated with various malignancies and infects >90% of the global population. EBV latent proteins are expressed in numerous EBV‐associated cancers and contribute to carcinogenesis, making them critical therapeutic targets for these cancers. Thus, this study aims to develop mRNA‐based therapeutic vaccines that express the T‐cell‐epitope‐rich domain of truncated latent proteins of EBV, including truncatedlatent membrane protein 2A (Trunc‐LMP2A), truncated EBV nuclear antigen 1 (Trunc‐EBNA1), and Trunc‐EBNA3A. The vaccines effectively activate both cellular and humoral immunity in mice and show promising results in suppressing tumor progression and improving survival time in tumor‐bearing mice. Furthermore, it is observed that the truncated forms of the antigens, Trunc‐LMP2A, Trunc‐EBNA1, and Trunc‐EBNA3A, are more effective than full‐length antigens in activating antigen‐specific immune responses. In summary, the findings demonstrate the effectiveness of mRNA‐based therapeutic vaccines targeting the T‐cell‐epitope‐rich domain of EBV latent proteins and providing new treatment options for EBV‐associated cancers. mRNA‐based vaccines expressing truncated Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) latent protein domains effectively elicit cellular and humoral immunity, inhibit tumor progression, and improve the survival of tumor‐bearing mice. Truncated antigens show superior immune activation compared to full‐length antigens, offering promising therapeutic options for EBV‐related malignancies.