Azoximer bromide and hydroxyapatite: promising immune adjuvants in cancer.

Immune adjuvants are immune modulators that have been developed in the context of infectious vaccinations. There is currently a growing interest in immune adjuvants due to the development of immunotherapy against cancers. Immune adjuvant mechanisms of action are focused on the initiation and amplification of the inflammatory response leading to the innate immune response, followed by the adaptive immune response.

Azoximer Bromide: Mystery, Serendipity, and Promise.

Azoximer bromide (AZB) was identified as an immunomodulator, and was initially developed and currently successfully indicated as one of several natural polyelectrolytes, a vaccine adjuvant, and an effective agent for the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases of viral, bacterial, and fungal origin. AZB has the potential to increase an individual's resistance to local and general infection and is indicated for the treatment of viral infections, and has also demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of a variety of secondary immunodeficiencies. However, AZB may offer long-term promise beyond use against infection.

Human Natural Antibodies Recognizing Glycan Galβ1-3GlcNAc (Le).

The level of human natural antibodies of immunoglobulin M isotype against Le in patients with breast cancer is lower than in healthy women. The epitope specificity of these antibodies has been characterized using a printed glycan array and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the antibodies being isolated from donors' blood using Le-Sepharose (Le is Galβ1-3GlcNAcβ). The isolated antibodies recognize the disaccharide but do not bind to glycans terminated with Le, which implies the impossibility of binding to regular glycoproteins of non-malignant cells.

Polyoxidonium Activates Cytotoxic Lymphocyte Responses Through Dendritic Cell Maturation: Clinical Effects in Breast Cancer.

Immunotherapy, which is seen as a major tool for cancer treatment, requires, in some cases, the presence of several agents to maximize its effects. Adjuvants can enhance the effect of other agents. However, despite their long-time use, only a few adjuvants are licensed today, and their use in cancer treatment is rare.