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NCI Drug Dictionary


algenpantucel-L 
A cancer vaccine comprised of irradiated allogeneic pancreatic cancer cells transfected to express murine alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase with potential antitumor activity. Vaccination is associated with the expression of murine alpha-1,3-galactosyl (alpha-gal) carbohydrate residues on cell membrane glycoproteins and glycolipids of the vaccine pancreatic cancer cell allograft; murine alpha-gal epitopes, not present on human cells, then induce a hyperacute rejection of the vaccine pancreatic cancer cell allograft. The hyperacute rejection involves the binding of pre-existing human anti-alpha-gal antibodies (which naturally occur against gut flora) to murine alpha-gal epitopes, resulting in the rapid activation of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) towards allograft cells. The host immune system then attacks endogenous pancreatic cancer cells, resulting in ADCC towards endogenous pancreatic cancer cells. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Synonyms:Alpha-1,3-Galactosyltransferase-Expressing Allogeneic Pancreatic Tumor Cell Vaccine
Alpha-Gal Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine
US brand name:Hyperacute-Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine