Racotumomab - a novel anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody vaccine for the treatment of cancer

Racotumomab is a murine gamma-type anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody that specifically induces an antibody response against Neu-glycolyl GM3 ganglioside (NeuGcGM3), which is overexpressed in several solid tumors. It is adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide for intradermal administration as a Cancer vaccine (racotumomab-Alum, known commercially as Vaxira®). Racotumomab is currently being evaluated for a number of Cancer indications, including melanoma, breast and lung Cancer. In early clinical trials, racotumomab demonstrated high immunogenicity and low toxicity and it advanced to further clinical testing as a treatment for patients with non-small cell lung Cancer (NSCLC). On the basis of promising results in a phase II/III study, racotumomab was launched in 2013 in Cuba and Argentina as an intradermal injection for the treatment of patients with advanced stage NSCLC.

Cancer vaccine; NeuGcGM3; Non-small cell lung cancer; Racotumomab.