Inventors:
Eduardo Sotomayor - Tampa FL, US
Ildefonso Suarez - Tampa FL, US
Assignee:
University of South Florida - Tampa FL
International Classification:
A61K 39/02, A61K 39/00
Abstract:
The present invention provides adjuvants, vaccines and related methods that are useful in eliciting immune responses, particularly immune responses against tumor antigens. We discovered that flagellin is capable of inhibiting tolerance when it is administered in conjunction with a tolerogenic antigen. This effect is likely mediated by the ability of flagellin to induce IL-12 while keeping IL-10 levels low. Furthermore, flagellin can be provided in an extended-releasing manner by using a flagellin-expressing cell. Preferably, the flagellin-expressing cell is treated such that it is no longer capable of replicating, yet retaining the ability to express flagellin, such as by lethal irradiation.