Definition

A vaccine composed of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta; TGFb)-derived peptide TGF-beta-15 combined with the immunoadjuvant montanide ISA-51, with potential immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, TGF-beta-15 peptide vaccine may activate TGF-beta-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and stimulate the host immune system to mount a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against TGF-beta-expressing immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). This may restore the anti-tumor immune response. TGF-beta, dysregulated in many types of cancer, plays a key role in immunosuppression in the TME, enhances tumor cell proliferation, and promotes cancer progression.