title: Dendritic cell-based vaccines: barriers and opportunities.
abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) have several characteristics that make them an ideal vehicle for tumor vaccines, and with the first US FDA-approved DC-based vaccine in use for the treatment of prostate cancer, this technology has become a promising new therapeutic option. However, DC-based vaccines face several barriers that have limited their effectiveness in clinical trials. A major barrier includes the activation state of the DC. Both DC lineage and maturation signals must be selected to optimize the antitumor response and overcome immunosuppressive effects of the tumor microenvironment. Another barrier to successful vaccination is the selection of target antigens that will activate both CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells in a potent, immune-specific manner. Finally, tumor progression and immune dysfunction limit vaccine efficacy in advanced stages, which may make DC-based vaccines more efficacious in treating early-stage disease. This review underscores the scientific basis and advances in the development of DC-based vaccines, focuses on current barriers to success and highlights new research opportunities to address these obstacles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery & Harrison Department of Surgical Research, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cintolo
authors.forename: Jashodeep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Datta
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Czerniecki
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019070:Cell Lineage; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000276:immunology; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D019496:Cancer Vaccines