{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "c58636dfc2c94d12a6ba1c10e6f64c32", "timestamp": "2026-08-20T20:43:08.389Z", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/c58636dfc2c94d12a6ba1c10e6f64c32.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/c58636dfc2c94d12a6ba1c10e6f64c32"}}, "title": "Preclinical development and clinical safety assessment of a synthetic peptide conjugate enabling endogenous antibody binding to promote innate receptor engagement.", "authors": [{"family": "Fletcher", "given": "Erika A K", "initials": "EAK"}, {"family": "Cordfunke", "given": "Robert A", "initials": "RA"}, {"family": "Nasi", "given": "Aikaterini", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "T\u00f6rnqvist", "given": "Gunilla", "initials": "G"}, {"family": "Valentijn", "given": "Rob R P M", "initials": "RRPM"}, {"family": "Bergqvist", "given": "Anna", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "Westhrin", "given": "Marita", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Rasch", "given": "Wenche", "initials": "W"}, {"family": "Lindqvist", "given": "Frida", "initials": "F"}, {"family": "Dillmann", "given": "Inken", "initials": "I"}, {"family": "Lord", "given": "Martin", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Bouwman", "given": "Neanke", "initials": "N"}, {"family": "Neefjes", "given": "Jacques J", "initials": "JJ"}, {"family": "Franken", "given": "Kees L M C", "initials": "KLMC"}, {"family": "McArdle", "given": "Stephanie", "initials": "S"}, {"family": "Ahmad", "given": "Murrium", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Johansson", "given": "Silvia", "initials": "S"}, {"family": "Ossendorp", "given": "Ferry", "initials": "F"}, {"family": "Haggman", "given": "Michael", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Lampinen", "given": "Maria", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Ullenhag", "given": "Gustav", "initials": "G"}, {"family": "Ladjevardi", "given": "Sam", "initials": "S"}, {"family": "Leja-Jarblad", "given": "Justyna", "initials": "J"}, {"family": "Lilleby", "given": "Wolfgang", "initials": "W"}, {"family": "Drijfhout", "given": "Jan Wouter", "initials": "JW"}, {"family": "Mangsbo", "given": "Sara M", "initials": "SM"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2025-06-18", "journal": {"title": "Mol Ther Oncol", "issn": "2950-3299", "volume": "33", "issue": "2", "pages": "200954", "issn-l": null}, "abstract": "Peptide-based vaccines can be used to deliver tumor-specific antigens to dendritic cells (DCs), leading to tumor-directed T cell responses. We previously developed a peptide-peptide conjugate technology enabling in vivo cross-linking of pre-existing tetanus toxin-directed antibodies, facilitating antigen delivery to, and activation of DCs. To achieve this, multiple identical tetanus toxin-derived B cell epitopes (MTTEs) are conjugated to synthetically produce target antigens of choice. Herein, we describe the generation of a prostate cancer vaccine candidate (TENDU) based on this technology. It includes long synthetic peptides harboring epitopes (CD4 and CD8) from prostate-specific antigen (PAP) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). The preclinical efficacy of TENDU was assessed in experimental systems, and safety was evaluated in a rabbit toxicity study and a human whole blood loop assay. We also report the first clinical safety assessment of TENDU. Experimental studies showed that prostate cancer patients mounted anti-MTTE antibodies in response to tetanus vaccination with recall T cell responses detected in two patients. Transgenic humanized HLA-DR4 mice displayed T cell responses and increased anti-MTTE IgG levels after vaccination with a peptide construct including an HLA-DR4 epitope. The vaccine candidate was found safe, and a positive correlation between T cell responses and anti-MTTE antibodies was noted in the first-in-human study.", "doi": "10.1016/j.omton.2025.200954", "pmid": "40520577", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC12166800"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "S2950-3299(25)00023-2"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T08:02:59.054Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T08:02:59.086Z"}