In Silico Design of a Novel Multi-Epitope Peptide Vaccine Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent cancer in the world. As yet, there is no medication for complete treatment of HCC. Objective: There is a critical need to search for an innovative therapy for HCC. Recently, multiepitope vaccines have been introduced as effective immunotherapy approach against HCC. Methods: In this research, several immunoinformatics methods were applied to create an original multi-epitope vaccine against HCC consisting of CD8+ cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs) epitopes selected from α- fetoprotein (AFP), glypican-3 (GPC3), aspartyl-β-hydroxylase (ASPH); CD4+ helper T lymphocytes (HTLs) epitopes from tetanus toxin fragment C (TTFC), and finally, two tandem repeats of HSP70407-426 were used which stimulated strong innate and adaptive immune responses. All the mentioned parts were connected together by relevant linkers. Results: According to physicochemical, structural, and immunological results, the designed vaccine is stable, non-allergen, antigen; it also has a high-quality 3D structure, and numerous linear and conformational B cell epitopes, whereby this vaccine may stimulate efficient humoral immunity. Conclusion: Center on the collected results, the designed vaccine potentially can induce cellular and humoral immune responses in HCC cases; nonetheless, the efficiency of vaccine must be approved within in vitro and in vivo immunological analyzes.