ASCI basics

ASCI consist of a specially selected cancer antigen, combined with a potent immunological stimulant called an Adjuvant System.

The ASCI antigens

GSK has focused first on cancer-specific shared antigens for the development of their new ASCI approach to cancer immunotherapy. These are antigens that are selectively expressed by tumors, and are not present in normal tissue.

GSK uses full recombinant (man made) proteins as antigen, as this approach has been demonstrated to offer distinct advantages over other types of immunotherapy.

• Using recombinant proteins improves the chances that the immune system will recognize the appropriate antigens [Acres et al., 2007, #18697; Boon et al., 2006, #14524]. This makes eventual destruction of the cancer tumor more likely.
• While other approaches to cancer immunotherapy may be specific only to individual patients, recombinant proteins are suitable for use with a wide range of patients [Acres et al., 2007, #18697].
• Some cancers share common antigens, making it possible to use the same ASCI against different types of cancer [Coulie, 2002, #79386].

The Adjuvant System

Adjuvants have been used since the early 1920s to increase the effectiveness of a vaccine towards an infectious disease [Garcon 2007]. Adjuvants, from the latin “adjuvare” or “to help”, encompass a wide range of compounds. GSK has developed a specific combination of adjuvants, called Adjuvant System, for use in ASCI. This Adjuvant System was specially selected for its unique properties in enhancing the strength and the duration of immune responses to the tumor antigen.

The addition of Adjuvant Systems could prove to be extremely important for the success of cancer immunotherapy. In many cases, the immune system is unable to eradicate cancer by itself [Lurquin et al., 2005, #19726]. The use of Adjuvant Systems that can reduce or bypass some of the ways in which cancers can evade or suppress the immune response may further increase the proportion of patients that respond to this type of treatment [Boon et al., 2006, #14524].

GSK is committed to continuing the research that will lead to development of the ideal Adjuvant System for every type of cancer.