Human peripheral blood Valpha24+ Vbeta11+ NKT cells expand following administration of alpha-galactosylceramide-pulsed dendritic cells.
OBJECTIVE
We have undertaken the first clinical trial involving the administration of alpha-GalactosylCeramine (alpha-GalCer)-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) to human subjects, to determine safety, optimal dose, optimal administration route and immunological effects.


METHODS
Subjects (n = 4) with metastatic malignancy received two infusions of alpha-GalCer-pulsed DCs intravenously, and two infusions intradermally. The percentages of Valpha24 Vbeta11 NKT cells in peripheral blood (PB) were determined by three-colour flow cytometry and the PB NKT cell numbers were calculated using the total number of PB lymphocytes/ml determined by automated full-blood counts.


RESULTS
No serious treatment related adverse events were observed during the study period. Administration of alpha-GalCer-pulsed DCs in vivo can significantly (P < 0.03) increase PB Valpha24+ Vbeta11+ NKT cell numbers above pretreatment baseline levels after the transient fall in the NKT numbers within 48 h.


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of alpha-GalCer-pulsed DCs is well tolerated, modulates PB Valpha24+ Vbeta11+ NKT cells and may have a role in the therapy of malignancies sensitive to activities of Valpha24+ Vbeta11+ NKT cells, or for autoimmune diseases.
D001773:Blood Cells; D002455:Cell Division; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005699:Galactosylceramides / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive / Q000379:methods*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005699:Galactosylceramides