UCPVax, a CD4 helper peptide vaccine, induces polyfunctional Th1 cells, antibody response, and epitope spreading to improve antitumor immunity.

Abstract

The induction of an antitumor CD4⁺ T helper response is essential for the efficacy of therapeutic cancer vaccines. However, few vaccines are specifically designed to target CD4⁺ T cells in human cancers. Here, we characterize the immune mechanisms of UCPVax, a helper peptide vaccine derived from telomerase. Ex vivo immune profiling of peripheral blood from 60 patients with advanced lung cancer reveals that UCPVax selectively activates CD4⁺ T cells in vivo across a broad HLA-DR restriction. The vaccine elicits a synergistic immune triad, including cytokine polyfunctional CD4⁺ Th1 cells, epitope spreading, and antibody response, contributing to effective tumor control. Single-cell analysis further demonstrates that UCPVax drives CD4⁺ T cells toward effector memory and cytolytic differentiation. Thus, vaccine-induced CD4⁺ T cells trigger broad and durable antitumor immunity. These findings highlight UCPVax as an off-the-shelf helper platform to enhance therapeutic cancer vaccine efficacy. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02818426.