title: Dendritic cells: emerging roles in tumor immunotherapy.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to examine the use of myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) as immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer. DCs can be stimulated either from circulating blood or bone marrow progenitor cells using cytokines, particularly granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) (e.g., sargramostim, Leukine). GM-CSF has been shown to promote maturation, mobilization, and antigen presentation of DCs in vivo or ex vivo as a therapeutic cancer vaccine. Once stimulated, DCs can present tumor antigen to naive T cells to initiate an immune response. In addition to myeloid-related DC stimulation, antitumor properties of GM-CSF include direct cytotoxicity, antiangiogenesis properties, and potential upregulation of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Oncology nurses need to be knowledgeable regarding new therapies. Using knowledge gained through reading professional journals and self-education, nurses can inform patients of new therapies, which may increase patients' hope.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Seattle University, Washington, USA. pbuchsel@nwlink.com
authors.forename: Patricia C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Buchsel
authors.forename: Elaine S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: DeMeyer
mesh_terms: D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D000069585:Filgrastim; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing / Q000639:trends; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D016207:Cytokines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; C455861:pegfilgrastim; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C081222:sargramostim; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D000069585:Filgrastim