WHAT IS LAMP?

LAMP (Lysosome-Associated Membrane Protein) is a gene that directs the target in a DNA vaccine to the cellular compartment that is critical to antigen presentation to the immune system. When LAMP is incorporated in a DNA vaccine formulation, it specifically enhances the immune response resulting in T-Helper Cell activation, an antibody response and immunological memory.

THE MISSING LINK IN DNA VACCINES

ITI’s LAMP-vax Technology is the “missing link” in DNA vaccines. It has the ability to make simple, inexpensive and effective DNA vaccinations a reality. LAMP has been shown to direct the target of DNA–based vaccines to the proper cellular compartment within dendritic cells, resulting in more complete immuno-reactivity in the host. The LAMP element can be incorporated into virtually any existing DNA vaccine to produce a proven enhancement of the immune response to the vaccine target.

LAMP, already in human clinical trials with prostate cancer patients, has been shown to be both safe and effective in humans. It has also been used successfully in animal models as a vaccine for Dengue Fever, Influenza, West Nile Virus, and HIV. The simple integration of the LAMP element into existing constructs has shown evidence of major enhancement of the immune response of DNA vaccines, increasing the likelihood of successful clinical trial outcomes.

LAMP SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVES IMMUNE SYSTEM RESPONSE

What makes LAMP so powerful? Part of the secret lies in an understanding of how the immune system handles foreign proteins. When an antigen presenting cell (APC) encounters a foreign particle, it brings it inside the cell for processing and then brings it on the outside of the APC to interact with the immune system. Conventional DNA vaccines start the antigen inside the cell and the processing takes a very different pathway than the outside-in of an APC. When a DNA vaccine includes LAMP, it “directs” the APC into moving the antigen into the “outside-in” pathway. The result is greatly enhanced immune system response.