title: Dendritic cell biology and cancer therapy.
abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) are nature's best antigen-presenting cells. They possess attributes that allow them to effectively fulfill the requirements for priming/activating T cells and mediating tumor-specific immune responses. In this review, emphasis is placed on those aspects of DC biology that best illustrate their usefulness in immunotherapy of cancer. Culture, maturation, and polarization conditions for human DC are discussed, as are strategies for antigen-loading of DCs and for their delivery to patients with cancer. A concise recommendation for monitoring of DC-based vaccination trails is provided.
authors.affiliation: Research Pavilion at the Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 5117 Centre Avenue, Suite 1.27, PA 15213-1863, Pittsburgh, USA. whitesidetl@msx.upmc.edu
authors.forename: Theresa L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Whiteside
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Odoux
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm