Autovaccines - potent tool against chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine the effect of immunomodulatory therapy in women with chronic and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). BACKGROUND: We present recent highlights in the research into vaginal microbiome and consequences of chronic inflammation such as vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). VVC is a widespread vaginal infection primarily caused by Candida albicans. Experience of more than three episodes per year is defined as RVVC. METHODS: The strains were isolated from women suffering from the above infections as for the period of 2017 to 2021 and subsequently used in immunomodulatory treatment. The preparation and administration of autovaccination therapy was performed using standard methodology and procedures cited in the manuscript. RESULTS: In total, autovaccines were produced for 73 patients of whom 30 (41 %) were successfully cured by this treatment, 29 (40 %) experienced a partially successful treatment, and in the remaining 14 (19 %), the autovaccination therapy was ineffective. CONCLUSION: We provide current knowledge about alternative (autovaccine) treatment options for female patients with VVC and RVVC diseases and our experience with the outcomes after autovaccine administration that currently has a promising therapeutic potential (Tab. 2, Ref. 18). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: autovaccines, chronic infections, vulvovaginal candidiasis, recurrent, Candida albicans.

Análisis de efectividad y costes sanitarios de la inmunoprofilaxis con autovacuna MV140, vacuna MV140 y tratamiento antibiótico continuado en la prevención de las infecciones urinarias recurrentes / Effectiveness and health cost analysis between immunoprophylaxis with MV140 autovaccine, MV140 vaccine and continuous treatment with antibiotics to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections

Introducción El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar los resultados del tratamiento antibiótico continuado, la autovacuna MV140 y la vacuna bacteriana polivalente MV140 de cepas de colección en la prevención de ITU recurrentes no complicadas. Métodos Se analizaron prospectivamente 377 pacientes desde enero de 2017 hasta agosto de 2019 y se dividieron en 3 grupos según la profilaxis administrada. Grupo A (126): tratamiento antibiótico, Grupo B (126), autovacuna MV140; Grupo C (125), vacuna bacteriana polivalente MV140 a partir cepas seleccionadas. Las variables analizadas fueron: sexo, edad, menopausia, número de episodios de ITU al inicio y a los 3 y 6 meses de finalizar la profilaxis, costes sanitarios a lo largo del seguimiento a los 3 y 6 meses. Resultados A los 3 meses, los episodios de ITU se redujeron a 0-1 en el 65% del grupo A, en el 80,8% del grupo B y en el 81,7% del grupo C. A los 6 meses, se presentaron 0-1 episodios de ITU en el 44,4% del grupo A, en el 61,6% del grupo B y en el 74,6% del grupo C. En cuanto a los costes sanitarios a lo largo del seguimiento, a los 3 meses el grupo A registró 21.171,87 euros, el grupo B 20.763,73 euros y el grupo C 18.866,14 euros. A los 6 meses, los costes sanitarios fueron de 32.980,35 euros en el grupo A, de 28.133,42 euros en el grupo B y de 23.629,19 euros en el grupo C. Conclusiones La autovacuna MV140 y la vacuna bacteriana polivalente MV140 fueron más eficaces reduciendo el número de episodios de ITU a los 3 y 6 meses y con unos costes sanitarios menores durante el seguimiento, en comparación con la profilaxis antibiótica continuada (p < 0,05). La vacuna bacteriana polivalente MV140 de cepas seleccionadas fue más eficaz en la reducción del número de episodios de ITU con unos costes sanitarios menores que la autovacuna (AU)

Introduction The objective of this study was to compare the results on prevention of uncomplicated recurrent UTI between continuous use of antibiotics, MV140 autovaccine and MV140 polybacterial vaccine from collection strain. Methods 377 patients were prospectively analyzed from January 2017 to August 2019 and divided into 3 groups according to the prophylaxis. Group A (126): antibiotics, Group B (126): MV140 autovaccine, Group C (125): MV140 polybacterial vaccine from the collection strain. Variables analyzed were: gender, age, menopause, number of UTI at baseline and 3 and 6 months after the end of prophylaxis, health cost along follow-up at 3 and 6 months. Results At 3 months, group A had 0-1 UTI in 65%, group B had 0-1 UTI in 80.8% and group C in 81.7%. At 6 months, group A had 0-1 UTI in 44.4%, group B had 0-1 UTI in 61.6% and group C in 74.6%. Regarding health cost along follow-up, at 3 months group A had €21,171.87, group B had €20,763.73 and group C €18,866.14. At 6 months, health cost was €32,980.35 in group A, €28,133.42 in group B, and €23,629.19 in group C. Conclusions MV140 autovaccine and MV140 polybacterial vaccine were more efficient with lower number of UTI at 3 and 6 months and lower health cost along follow-up compared to continued prophylaxis with antibiotics (p < .05). Polybacterial MV140 vaccine from collection strain had higher effect to reduce the number of UTI and less health cost than autovaccine (AU)

Effectiveness and health cost analysis between immunoprophylaxis with MV140 autovaccine, MV140 vaccine and continuous treatment with antibiotics to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to compare the results on prevention of uncomplicated recurrent UTI between continuous use of antibiotics, MV140 autovaccine and MV140 polybacterial vaccine from collection strain. METHODS: 377 patients were prospectively analyzed from January 2017 to August 2019 and divided into 3 groups according to the prophylaxis. Group A (126): antibiotics, Group B (126): MV140 autovaccine, Group C (125): MV140 polybacterial vaccine from the collection strain. Variables analyzed were: gender, age, menopause, number of UTI at baseline and 3 and 6 months after the end of prophylaxis, health cost along follow-up at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: At 3 months, group A had 0-1 UTI in 65%, group B had 0-1 UTI in 80.8% and group C in 81.7%. At 6 months, group A had 0-1 UTI in 44.4%, group B had 0-1 UTI in 61.6% and group C in 74.6%. Regarding health cost along follow-up, at 3 months group A had euro21,171.87, group B had euro20,763.73 and group C euro18,866.14. At 6 months, health cost was euro32,980.35 in group A, euro28,133.42 in group B, and euro23,629.19 in group C. CONCLUSIONS: MV140 autovaccine and MV140 polybacterial vaccine were more efficient with lower number of UTI at 3 and 6 months and lower health cost along follow-up compared to continued prophylaxis with antibiotics (p < 0.05). Polybacterial MV140 vaccine from collection strain had higher effect to reduce the number of UTI and less health cost than autovaccine.

A Focus on Long-Term Follow-Up of Immunoprophylaxis to Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections: 10 Years of Experience with MV140 Vaccine in a Cohort of 1003 Patients Support High Efficacy and Safety.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this article was to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of the MV140 vaccine to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). METHODS: This is a prospective, descriptive, comparative and multicenter study of 1003 patients with 3 or more urinary infections for 12 months, treated with the MV140 vaccine from 2011 to 2021. VARIABLES: Age, gender, urinary infections at 3, 6 and 12 months, distribution according to age and months of the year, smoking, use of MV140 vaccines and autovaccines. RESULTS: Mean age was 78 and 82.7% were women. At baseline, 84.1% had 3 to 5 infections. According to age, 68.6% had >70 years. There were more consultations in March (12.3%) and fewer in August (4.4%). Smokers represented 24.6% and 21.8% follow autovaccines. Results at 3 months: 0 UTI 45%, 1 UTI 31.3%, 2 UTI 19.2%. 6 months: 0 UTI 29.3%, 1 UTI 33.2%, 2 UTI 24.3%. 12 months: 0 UTI 9%, 1 UTI 28.2%, 2 UTI 17.5%. Smokers: 0-1 UTI 80.2% (3 months), 65.5% (6 months), 53.9% (12 months). Non-smokers: 0-1 UTI 85.8% (3 months), 66.8% (6 months), 20% (12 months). p = 0.41, 0.27 and 0.21 respectively. Vaccines: 0-1 UTI 74.5% (3 months), 61% (6 months), 38.8% (12 months). Autovaccines: 0-1 UTI 82.7% (3 months), 68 % (6 months), 28.2% (12 months). p = 0.04, 0.25 and 0.63 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MV140 reduced the number of UTI to 0-2 in 95.5% at 3 months, 86.8% at 6 months and 54.7% at 12 months. Smoking did not worsen the response of MV140. Autovaccines achieved better results than vaccines only at 3 months. Adverse effects represented 1.49%, but no patient had to abandon treatment.

A Focus on Long-Term Follow-Up of Immunoprophylaxis to Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections: 10 Years of Experience with MV140 Vaccine in a Cohort of 1003 Patients Support High Efficacy and Safety

Background: The objective of this article was to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of the MV140 vaccine to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods: This is a prospective, descriptive, comparative and multicenter study of 1003 patients with 3 or more urinary infections for 12 months, treated with the MV140 vaccine from 2011 to 2021. Variables: Age, gender, urinary infections at 3, 6 and 12 months, distribution according to age and months of the year, smoking, use of MV140 vaccines and autovaccines. Results: Mean age was 78 and 82.7% were women. At baseline, 84.1% had 3 to 5 infections. According to age, 68.6% had >70 years. There were more consultations in March (12.3%) and fewer in August (4.4%). Smokers represented 24.6% and 21.8% follow autovaccines. Results at 3 months: 0 UTI 45%, 1 UTI 31.3%, 2 UTI 19.2%. 6 months: 0 UTI 29.3%, 1 UTI 33.2%, 2 UTI 24.3%. 12 months: 0 UTI 9%, 1 UTI 28.2%, 2 UTI 17.5%. Smokers: 0–1 UTI 80.2% (3 months), 65.5% (6 months), 53.9% (12 months). Non-smokers: 0–1 UTI 85.8% (3 months), 66.8% (6 months), 20% (12 months). p = 0.41, 0.27 and 0.21 respectively. Vaccines: 0–1 UTI 74.5% (3 months), 61% (6 months), 38.8% (12 months). Autovaccines: 0–1 UTI 82.7% (3 months), 68 % (6 months), 28.2% (12 months). p = 0.04, 0.25 and 0.63 respectively. Conclusions: MV140 reduced the number of UTI to 0–2 in 95.5% at 3 months, 86.8% at 6 months and 54.7% at 12 months. Smoking did not worsen the response of MV140. Autovaccines achieved better results than vaccines only at 3 months. Adverse effects represented 1.49%, but no patient had to abandon treatment (AU)

Profile of oncological diseases in dogs and clinical effectiveness of autovaccine therapy of papillomatosis / Perfil de doenças oncológicas em caninos e eficácia clínica da terapia com autovacina em papilomatose

Papillomatosis is one of the few diseases in which autovaccine therapy is recommended, especially in the case of mass manifestation in animals. It is noted that papillomas are diagnosed in 15.7% of cases in histological diagnosis of oncological diseases. Therefore, this work studied the profile of oncological diseases in dogs and the clinical effectiveness of autovaccine therapy of papillomatosis. The article gives a morphological description of papillomas used as a biomaterial, and also describes the technological methods of manufacturing an autovaccine used to treat animals against papillomatosis. A therapeutic scheme for administering the vaccine was proposed and tested, and the results of the clinical trial are presented, as well as a reflection on some moments of the mechanism of vaccine therapy for papillomatosis.(AU)

A papilomatose é uma das poucas doenças onde se recomenda a terapia com autovacina, principalmente no caso de manifestação em massa em animais. Nota-se que papilomas são diagnosticados em 15,7% dos casos em diagnóstico histológico de doenças oncológicas. Portanto, este trabalho estudou o perfil das doenças oncológicas em cães e a eficácia clínica da terapia com autovacina em papilomatose. O presente artigo fornece descrição morfológica dos papilomas utilizados como biomaterial, além da descrição dos métodos tecnológicos de fabricação de uma autovacina usada para tratar animais contra a papilomatose. Um esquema terapêutico para a administração da vacina foi proposto e testado, e os resultados do ensaio clínico são apresentados, e é feita uma reflexão sobre alguns momentos do mecanismo da terapia de vacina para papilomatose.(AU)

Exploring the importance of mixed autogenous vaccines as a potential determinant of lung consolidation in lambs using Bayesian networks.

Bayesian networks are used to evaluate the effectiveness of mixed autogenous vaccines in fattening lambs to prevent the ovine respiratory syndrome. An experiment was performed with 460 fattening lambs, which were clustered into four groups according to the kind of vaccine received (Pasteurella spp., Mycoplasma spp., Mixed Mycoplasma-Pasteurella or placebo). After slaughtering, lungs were collected, and macroscopic and microscopic studies were performed. A microbiological study was carried out to evaluate the presence of Mycoplasma spp. and Pasteurellaceae by conventional culture and identification by nested polymerase chain reaction. To the best of the authors' knowledge, Bayesian networks have not been used to evaluate the effect of vaccines on the absence/presence of lung consolidation. Our results revealed that the use of mixed autogenous vaccines can decrease lung consolidation from 15.75% (12.42-19.08) to 9.24% (6.59-11.89). Therefore, the use of these autogenous vaccines in farms could be considered an effective control tool against ovine respiratory syndrome.

Assessment of the efficacy of an autogenous vaccine against Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in young Merino sheep.

AIMS To assess the efficacy of an autogenous vaccine against Yersinia pseudotuberculosis III in preventing clinical disease and deaths due to yersiniosis in young Merino sheep, and to determine the effect of vaccination on the prevalence of faecal shedding of pathogenic Yersinia spp., daily liveweight gain, and development of antibodies to Yersinia spp. following vaccination and natural exposure. METHODS In six groups (three groups each from two farms) of young Merino sheep, 148-150 animals were systematically allocated to be vaccinated twice with an autogenous, formalin- killed bacterin vaccine containing Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype III or to remain non-vaccinated. All vaccinated and non-vaccinated sheep were run together in their original groups throughout the trial. Faecal and blood samples were collected, and liveweight measured, at the time of vaccination and subsequently over a 6-month period to determine faecal shedding of Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis, seroprevalence of antibodies to Yersinia outer membrane proteins (YOP) and changes in liveweight. RESULTS None of the six trial groups experienced an outbreak of clinical yersiniosis during the study period. On Farm A, the prevalence of shedding of either or both Yersinia spp. was <40% on all but one sampling occasions. On Farm B the prevalence of shedding of both Yersinia spp. peaked at 98%, 96 days after vaccination. Mean liveweight and daily liveweight gain at the end of the study were similar in vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups on both farms (p>0.1), as was the prevalence of faecal shedding of Yersinia spp. (p>0.2), and the proportion of animals that became seropositive for antibodies to YOP following vaccination (p>0.1). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE This vaccine had, at most, limited effects on seroconversion and, under the conditions of this study, had no demonstrable impact on liveweight, mean daily liveweight gain or faecal shedding of Yersinia spp. Further studies are needed to determine the efficacy of this vaccine during outbreaks of yersiniosis or following experimental challenge with pathogenic Yersinia spp..

Autogenous vaccination reduces antimicrobial usage and mortality rates in a herd facing severe exudative epidermitis outbreaks in weaned pigs.

This study was conducted in a commercial 1000-sow herd facing recurrent exudative epidermitis (EE) outbreaks during the nursery period and assessed the efficacy of autogenous vaccination in controlling such outbreaks. The vaccine was produced using three Staphylococcus hyicus isolates recovered from affected pigs shortly before the onset of the study. All of those isolates were positive for the exhB gene, which encodes the exfoliative toxin type B (ExhB). From four consecutive farrowing batches of sows, two batches were vaccinated (V) against S hyicus at five and two weeks before farrowing, and two sow batches remained non-vaccinated (NV). Vaccination efficacy was primarily determined by the levels of metaphylactic antimicrobial usage, and the morbidity and mortality data for the pigs of the V and NV sows. The total amount of antimicrobials used metaphylactically against EE in pigs among the V and NV farrowing batches was 39,600 and 88,550 mg, respectively. The used daily dose pig to animal daily dose pig ratio for the V and NV batches were 1.31 and 1.79, respectively (a ratio of 0.8 to 1.2 is indicative of correct dosing). The morbidity and mortality rates were V=6.50 and NV=14.36 (P=0.008), and V=2.59 and NV=5.02 (P=0.000), respectively. To conclude, autogenous vaccination of the sows with a vaccine based on exhB-positive S hyicus isolates reduced metaphylactic treatment with antimicrobials as well as the morbidity and mortality rates in weaned pigs compared with pigs from NV sow batches.

Effectiveness of Polyvalent Bacterial Lysate and Autovaccines Against Upper Respiratory Tract Bacterial Colonization by Potential Pathogens: A Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: Polyvalent bacterial lysate (PBL) is an oral immunostimulating vaccine consisting of bacterial standardized lysates obtained by lysis of different strains of bacteria. Autovaccines are individually prepared based on the results of smears obtained from the patient. Both types of vaccine can be used to treat an ongoing chronic infection. This study sought to determine which method is more effective against nasal colonization by potential respiratory tract pathogens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 150 patients with aerobic Gram stain culture and count results indicating bacterial colonization of the nose and/or throat by potential pathogens. The participants were randomly assigned to each of the following groups: 1. administration of PBL, 2. administration of autovaccine, and 3. no intervention (controls). RESULTS: Reduction of the bacterial count in Streptococcus pneumoniae-colonized participants was significant after the autovaccine (p<0.001) and PBL (p<0.01). Reduction of the bacterial count of other ß-hemolytic streptococcal strains after treatment with the autovaccine was significant (p<0.01) and was non-significant after PBL. In Haemophilus influenzae colonization, significant reduction in the bacterial count was noted in the PBL group (p<0.01). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization did not respond to either treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The autovaccine is more effective than PBL for reducing bacterial count of Streptococcus pneumoniae and ß-hemolytic streptococci, while PBL was more effective against Haemophilus influenzae colonization.

Therapeutic effects of PADRE-BAFF autovaccine on rat adjuvant arthritis.

B cell activating factor (BAFF) is a cytokine of tumor necrosis factor family mainly produced by monocytes and dendritic cells. BAFF can regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of B lymphocytes by binding with BAFF-R on B cell membrane. Accumulating evidences showed that BAFF played crucial roles and was overexpressed in various autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This suggests that BAFF may be a therapeutic target for these diseases. In the present study, we developed a BAFF therapeutic vaccine by coupling a T helper cell epitope AKFVAAWTLKAA (PADRE) to the N terminus of BAFF extracellular domains (PADRE-BAFF) and expressed this fusion protein in Escherichia coli. The purified vaccine can induce high titer of neutralizing BAFF antibodies and ameliorate the syndrome of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats. Our data indicated that the BAFF autovaccine may be a useful candidate for the treatment of some autoimmune diseases associated with high level of BAFF.

Evaluation of an autogenous vaccine in cattle against Escherichia coli bearing the CTX-M-14 plasmid.

Enteric bacteria with resistance to third and fourth generation cephalosporin antibiotics, especially Escherichia coli bearing the blaCTX-M gene, have been detected in a wide range of food producing animals. However, commercial vaccines for these organisms are not currently available. An autogenous vaccine was prepared from E. coli bearing the blaCTX-M-14 gene and evaluated as a potential control measure to reduce shedding and dissemination of these organisms in cattle. Calves (n=30) received either an autogenous vaccine prepared from E. coli serotype O33 bearing the blaCTX-M-14 gene or a placebo by intramuscular injection on three separate occasions. Two weeks after the final vaccination, all calves were challenged by oral gavage with the O33 CTX-M-14 strain of E. coli (1×10(10) CFU). Faeces, intestinal mucosa and blood samples were taken for enumeration of total and CTX-M-14 E. coli and for assessment of the humoral immune response. The cumulative number of total E. coli excreted at 7 days post-challenge was significantly (p=0.006) lower in the vaccinated group than the placebo group. However, there was no significant difference in the shedding of either CTX-M-14 E. coli or total E. coli between vaccinated and placebo calves throughout the study period. The systemic immune response to E. coli O33 antigen was tested by ELISA and was significantly higher (p<0.001) in vaccinated than placebo calves. However, there was no significant difference in the mucosal immune response. These findings do not support the use of autogenous vaccination for the control of CTX-M-14 E. coli in calves.

Controle da leptospirose em bovinos de leite com vacina autógena em Santo Antônio do Monte, Minas Gerais / Control of leptospirosis in dairy cattle with autogenous vaccine in Santo Antônio do Monte, MG, Brazil

Um surto de leptospirose foi observado em bovinos leiteiros em Santo Antônio do Monte, Minas Gerais. O rebanho apresentava reações positivas anti-leptospira sorovar Hardjo no teste de microaglutinação (MAT) e havia sido vacinado anteriormente com vacina experimental contendo a sorovariedade Hardjo. O MAT revelou 48,06% dos bovinos positivos para sorovariedade Hardjo genótipo Hardjobovis, 36,82% para sorovariedade Hardjo genótipo Hardjoprajitno. Os animais apresentavam aborto e mastite com presença de sangue no leite. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivos isolar as sorovariedades existentes a partir da urina de vacas sorologicamente positivas, elaborar uma vacina experimental com as sorovariedades isoladas no rebanho, avaliar a eficiência do programa de vacinação por um período de dois anos por meio da sorologia do rebanho. Foi isolada Leptospira spp. a partir da urina de duas vacas com sinais sugestivos da doença. As amostras isoladas foram identificadas pela sorologia com anticorpos monoclonais e seqüenciamento do gene 16S rRNA como pertencentes à espécie Leptospira interrogans, sorogrupo Sejroe, sorovariedade Hardjo e genótipo Hardjoprajitno. O uso da vacina autógena foi eficaz no controle da leptospirose no rebanho no período de dois anos. Os resultados da sorologia revelaram ausência de animais positivos na última prova realizada no rebanho.

An outbreak of leptospirosis in dairy cattle was observed in Santo Antonio do Monte, Minas Gerais. The herd had positive reactions in anti-Leptospira serovar Hardjo agglutination test (MAT) and had been previously vaccinated with a vaccine containing serovars Hardjo. The MAT showed 48.06% of cattle positive for serovars Hardjo genotype Hardjobovis, 36.82% for serovars Hardjo genotype Hardjoprajitno. The animals had abortions and mastitis with blood in the milk. This study aimed to isolate the existing serovars from the urine of serologically positive cows, produce an experimental vaccine with the serovars isolated in the herd, evaluating the effectiveness of the vaccination program for a period of two years through the herd serology. Leptospira spp. was isolated from the urine of two cows with signs suggestive of the disease. The strains were identified by serology with monoclonal antibodies and 16S rRNA gene sequencing as belonging to the Leptospira interrogans species Sejroe serogroup Hardjo serovars and Hardjoprajitno genotype. Use of the autochthonous vaccine was effective in leptospirosis controlling in the herd in two years. The serology results showed the absence of positive animals in the last race held in the herd.

The effect of auto-vaccination therapy on the phenotypic variation of one clonal type of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from cows with mastitis.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of auto-vaccine therapy on selected properties of Staphylococcus aureus strains, isolated from milk of cows with subclinical mastitis. The experiment was based on auto-vaccines which were prepared from S. aureus strains isolated from 16 cows. S. aureus strains isolated from cows on the 7th, 21st and 35th day following auto-vaccination, were analyzed phenotypically and genotypically. The isolated strains represented 17 biotypes all belonging to one clonal type. Increases of new biotypes of S. aureus were detected on the 35th day of therapy. Among 48 re-isolated strains, 18.75% (9/48) revealed single and 12.50% (6/48) multiple phenotypical changes. The present study demonstrated that during auto-vaccine therapy, S. aureus strains can change phenotypically, pointing out the necessity for using precise diagnostic methods, that would make possible a better assessment of the used therapy.

[Effect of dendritic cell autovaccine on the treatment outcome in patients with ovarian cancer].

During I/II phase clinical trial in ovarian cancer (OC) patients two types of autologous anticancer vaccines based on dendritic cells have been tested, and a comparative analysis of their effectiveness have been performed. It was shown that the anticancer vaccines based on DC, "loaded" with autologous tumor cell lysate obtained by treatment of tumor cells by cytotoxic lectins B. subtilis had higher efficiency, compared with the standard DC--autovaccine. The presence of antigen-specific immune response observed after at least four vaccinations. Obtained results open the prospects to improve the basic treatment of OC patients by this method. The results of immunological examinations create preconditions for individual optimization of the DC-vaccine therapy.

[Oncotropic viruses and antitumor autovaccines (review)].

Oncotropic viruses and antitumor autovaccines are reviewed. The progress of tumor process is associated with the invasive growth and the formation of metastases. Nowadays it is obvious that micrometastases are formed before any clinical symptoms are revealed, and, therefore, at the stage of clinical manifestation neoplastic process is in fact a systemic pathology and the surgical intervention is quite inefficient. This work deals with the main mechanisms of the progress of neoplastically transformed cells. Special account is given to the processes and methods which determine the antiblastomic effectiveness of the systemic influence of oncotropic viruses and antitumor autovaccines. The vaccine generated from the autologous tumor cells is actually quite individual. Тechnological procedure requires that the tissues should be removed from different places (primary base, metastases, lymph nodes), otherwise, the immune response to one or several determinants associated with tumor will not block the developing process, but it will promote the selective growth of subclones on the surface of which those determinants are not revealed. Hence, pharmacists face a difficult task - for the purpose of the advancement of the effectiveness of antitumor autovaccine therapy all the blastomic subclones should be infected with oncotropic viruses and additional viral antigens should be formed on their surface. Attenuated strains of natural viruses (flu, measles, herpes) and genetically engineered recombinanted viruses are generally used as oncotherapeutic agents. During the combined viro- and vaccinotherapy it is essentially important to keep the sequence of the following stages: 1) Evaluation of immune status and infection of the organism with oncotropic viruses; 2) Implementation of radical operation before the formation of antiviral immunoglobulins; 3) Removal of tumor tissues from different places ant preparation of autovaccine; 4) Starting the immunization.

Postoperative autovaccinotherapy for patients with gastric cancer and expression of some proteins in tumor tissue.

AIM: To study the efficacy of autovaccine in the treatment of gastric cancer and significance of molecular factors having prognostic values for disease outcome to evaluate its efficacy in clinical setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 150 patients with histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the stomach of stages II, III or IV were enrolled into study. 86 patients have been treated with autovaccine (AV) after operation. Expression of p53, Bcl-2, receptors of tyrosine kinase, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), capital IE, Cyrillic-cadherin, alpha-catenin and beta-catenin was determined in paraffin embedded tumor samples by means of immunohistochemical method with the use of respective monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: It was shown that application of AV has resulted in the increase of 3-year overall survival of patients having stage III of disease by more than 30%, but those having stage IV - only around 14%. The increase of 3-year overall survival of patients with metastases in lymph nodes (N1-2) was observed also in more than 30%. It has been suggested the optimal phenotype for vaccine application: small er, Cyrillic53(+), EGFR(+), HER-2 neu (+), beta-catenin (+), VEGF(+) and Bcl-2(+) with no dependence on E-cadherin and alpha-catenin presence. CONCLUSION: It was determined that the best effect of AV application is observed in patients with category capital TE, Cyrillic3-4, poorly-differentiated tumors, metastases in lymph nodes (N1-2), but without distant metastases (capital EM, Cyrillic0). Gastric cancer patients with p53, EGFR, HER-2/neu, beta-catenin, VEGF and Bcl-2-positive tumors are the favorable group for the treatment with AV in the adjuvant regime.

PDT combined with Intravesical BCG instillation would form an autovaccine for bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer is the second most common urologic malignancy after prostate cancer. Intravesical BCG as a treatment of superficial bladder cancer (SBC) has been used by urologists for over 30 years. Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses a red laser and a photosensitive drug to destroy cancer cells, has been showed encouraging results in SBC treatment. However, BCG and PDT are applied to treatment of SBC alone. Currently, cancer vaccines are made in vitro. Several studies confirmed that tumour cells treated in vitro by PDT can be used for generating potent cancer vaccines, which were more effective than other modes of creating whole tumor vaccines, i.e., UV or ionizing irradiation [Gollnick SO, Vaughan L, Henderson BW. Generation of effective antitumor vaccines using photodynamic therapy. Cancer Res 2002;62:1604-8]. Moreover, BCG is a pleiotropic immune stimulator oriented to cellular immunity. We thought that: after PDT destroyed targeted tumor cells on a large scale, Intravesical BCG could elicit and amplify the immune responses, which would directly form an in situ autovaccine in vivo against the primary tumor and metastases at distant sites. In this paper, we propose that the combination of Intravesical BCG and PDT would be a promising new modality for bladder cancer.

The failure of HIV vaccines: a new autovaccine may overcome some problems.

The hypothesis of an autovaccine for HIV is borne out by: (1) the present lack of a valid vaccine; (2) by a remarkable improvement of the HAART, which however does not prevent HIV mutagenicity and a consequent valid immunological response and (3) the persistence of a hidden infection ready to thrive again. The preparation of the autovaccine is described as well as the administration schedule but only a clinical study will define its validity.