Definition

A vaccine composed of phosphorylated peptides from the tumor associated antigens breast cancer anti-estrogen resistance-3 (BCAR3) and insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS2) and a tetanus-derived peptide, with potential immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration of pBCAR3/pIRS2 phosphopeptide-tetanus peptide vaccine, the pBCAR3/pIRS2 phosphopeptide may stimulate the immune system to mount a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against tumor cells expressing either phosphopeptide. The tetanus peptide serves as an immunoadjuvant and induces a helper T-cell response which may help stimulate an immune response against pBCAR3 and pIRS2-expressing melanoma tumor cells. BCAR3 and IRS2 are upregulated in a variety of cancer cells.