NCIt definition : A vaccine containing multiple peptides derived from the human telomerase reverse transcriptase
(hTERT), survivin and cytomegalovirus (CMV), with potential immunostimulating and
antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, hTERT/survivin/CMV multipeptide vaccine
may elicit a cytotoxic T cell (CTL) response against tumor cells espressing hTERT,
survivin and CMV. hTERT, the catalytic subunit of telomerase, and the inhibitor of
apoptosis (IAP) family member survivin, both often upregulated in tumor cells, play
key roles in tumor cell growth and survival. Further, CMV expression is correlated
with certain types of cancer.;
Semantic type(s)