BioCentury
ARTICLE | Targets & Mechanisms

Alt-neoantigens

Two studies tap a new vein of cancer neoantigens via alternative splicing

August 30, 2018 8:04 PM UTC

Neoantigens derived from alternative splicing could broaden the target space for cancer vaccines and T cell therapies, according to two studies published this month. While questions remain about whether they are sufficiently immunogenic to create potent drugs, the findings feed into a growing body of research looking beyond point mutations for ways to differentiate tumor antigens from those in normal tissue.

To attack tumors and protect normal tissues, immuno-oncologists are developing therapies against neoantigens -- tumor-specific peptides that the immune system regards as non-self...