MiHa

This program center on the identification of novel and frequently polymorphic minor histocompatibility antigens (MiHAs). MiHAs are small self-peptides that are often polymorphic between individuals. Such polymorphisms drive both the desired graft-vs-tumor (GVT) effect seen in bone marrow transplantation in hematological cancers, as well as the undesired graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) also seen as a side effect of such treatments. This program, a collaboration between Dr. Claude Perreault and Dr. Denis-Claude Roy from the Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancer (IRIC), and the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, has identified 34 novel MiHA peptides that are currently in Phase 1 clinical trials in man. This program has been spun off into SpecificiT Pharma; an AmorChem start-up company.