The use of dendritic cells for cancer vaccination.
Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen presenting cells (APC) and the only ones capable of presenting novel antigens to naïve T-cells. Large numbers of DC can be generated in vitro in the presence of appropriate cytokine cocktails using either adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or CD34+ precursors. More than 20 preclinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of antigen-loaded DC to mediate antitumor immune responses. Three clinical trials have been reported to date that show DC as a promising tool for the immunotherapy of cancer. However, completion and analysis of randomized trials to establish the appropriate antigen(s), adjuvant(s), dose, route and schedule will be crucial. Future DC-based therapies will include genetic modification of DC, the use of CD34+ precursors, direct delivery of DC to tumors, and application of tumor lysates or apoptotic cells as sources of additional, as yet undefined, antigens.
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Division of Surgical Oncology, 300 Kaufmann Building, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. esche@altavista.net
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D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines