Objective: To investigate how to deliver AFP to the immune system for generating the appropriate immune response.
Methods: We prepared the oxidized mannan linked to recombinant mouse alpha-fetoprotein (mAFP) as a vaccine (Ox-M-mAFP), and the vaccine based on mAFP without mannan modification was also prepared as a control.
Results: We found that immunotherapy with Ox-M-mAFP was effective on protective and therapeutic antitumor immunity in mice. No marked toxicity was found in the immunized mice.
Conclusion: These findings may be important to further exploration of the breaking of immune tolerance to self molecules, and may provide a new vaccine strategy for the treatment of AFP-positive hepatocellular carcinoma.