β-Glucan as an immune activator and a carrier in the construction of a synthetic MUC1 vaccine

Abstract

We describe the preparation of a cancer vaccine candidate by conjugating a MUC1 peptide antigen to the β-glucan polysaccharide, which serves both as a carrier and an immune activator. In contrast to amorphous polysaccharides, peptide–β-glucan conjugates form uniform nanoparticles that facilitate the delivery of antigens and binding to myeloid cells, thus leading to the activation of both innate and adaptive immunity.