Definition

A cancer vaccine containing pTVG4 plasmid DNA encoding the human androgen receptor (AR) ligand-binding domain (LBD) (pTVG-AR), with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon intradermal administration of AR LBD-encoding plasmid DNA vaccine MVI-118, the plasmid DNA vaccine expresses AR LBD and may stimulate the host immune system to generate a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against AR LBD-expressing prostate cancer cells. This reduces proliferation of AR-expressing tumor cells. AR, a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) overexpressed in prostate cancer cells, plays a key role in the development and progression of prostate cancer; its expression is correlated with poor prognosis.