TITLE:
Modulation of Microglia Cell Phenotype by Semi-Allogeneic Cancer Vaccines
AUTHORS:
Jin Yu, Hong Zhu, Jordan K. Rice, Mark S. Kindy
KEYWORDS:
Glioblastoma, Immunotherapy, Cancer, Vaccine, T-Cell, Microglia
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.17 No.2,
February
3,
2026
ABSTRACT: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the deadliest brain tumor and is one of a group of tumors referred to as gliomas. GBMs make up approximately 15% of all primary brain tumors. Even with the standard therapies of surgical resection with radiation and chemotherapy, the prognosis for patients is poor. Semiallogeneic vaccines (SAV) have demonstrated efficacy in animal models of GBM; however, the mechanisms associated with this effect are not well understood. In the current study, we examined the potential impact of SAV on the regulation of microglia in the brain. The impact of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and vaccine mediated pathways was investigated for their effect on microglia and the modulation of phenotypic expression. In vitro studies revealed that IFN-γ directly and SAV treatment of dendritic cells and T-cells can mediate the production of interferon-γ that can allow for the induction of M1 microglia to facilitate tumor regression. In vitro studies revealed that phenotypic modulation of microglia by interferon-γ either by direct stimulation or mediated through T-cells contributes to the therapeutic effect on GBMs.