Advances in patent applications related to cancer vaccine using CpG-ODN and OX40 association

ABSTRACT

Introduction: This review aims to assess the available technologies, advances, and trends from technological readiness level 4 to level 8 for cancer immunologic therapeutics using the association of OX40 and CPG-ODN, usually known as cancer vaccine.

Areas covered: Patent documents and clinic studies referring to the use of CpG-ODN and of OX40 association for cancer therapeutics. Patent data were obtained within the worldwide basis of the European Patent Office (EPO). The 138 patents of 36 patent families found were analyzed focusing on word distribution of technology developers and potential markets, legal status, annual evolution of first priority, technological domains, applicants and co-applicants and detailed analysis of each technology. Two clinical studies are in progress.

Expert opinion: Traditional methods in post cancer diagnosis are being replaced by immunological association therapies. It is expected that the development of cancer vaccines will expand the scope of cancer-specific immunotherapy, especially if associated with alternative systems for expression and delivery with future potential. It is expected that genetic and controlled and/or specific nano delivery are improved. Furthermore, these new developments will likely address the problem of long-term treatments, reducing cancer mortality and reducing patient numbers worldwide.

KEYWORDS:

• Sarcoma
• carcinoma
• neoplasm
• tumor
• cancer

Article highlights

• Comprehensive technology assessment based on the most recent patent applications in the cancer vaccine.

• Association of CpG-ODN and OX40 is quite recent, but patent applications are growing exponentially.

• Potential markets cover over 19 countries.

• Proprietary technologies for OX40 are concentrated in the USA (86%).

• Specific nano delivery and light activation are promising future trends.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Author contributions

HM Quintella and CM Quintella conceived and designed the article, being responsible for its writing. M Rohweder, CM Quintella, HM Quintella, GM Quintella participated in the analysis and interpretation of the data, in the critical review of the intellectual content and in the final approval of the version to be published. All authors agree to be responsible for all aspects of the work.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Supplementary materials

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.