title: Wilms' Tumor Gene 1 (WT1)--loaded dendritic cell immunotherapy in patients with uterine tumors: a phase I/II clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Treatment options are limited in uterine cancer, leading to a poor prognosis. Overexpression of Wilms' tumor gene 1 (WT1), the highest ranked tumor antigen, is attractive for immunotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six pre-treated patients with uterine cancer received four weekly vaccines of autologous dendritic cells (DCs) electroporated with WT1 mRNA. Safety, feasibility and immunogenicity were assessed. In cases of response, patients received monthly booster vaccines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The technique was feasible. One patient had a local allergic reaction. Three out of four Human Leucocyte Antigen-A2 (HLA-A2)-positive patients showed an oncological response; an enrichment of WT1-specific T-cells was observed in two of them. Two HLA-A2-negative patients did not show an oncological or an immunological response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A first series of six patients with uterine cancer treated with WT1 mRNA-electroporated DCs is presented herein. Oncological and immunological responses were observed and are supportive for further research.
authors: KU Leuven, Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Onderwijs & Navorsing 1, Herestraat 49 bus 811, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. an.coosemans@gmail.com.
authors: An
authors: A
authors: Coosemans
authors: Anke
authors: A
authors: Vanderstraeten
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Tuyaerts
authors: Tina
authors: T
authors: Verschuere
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Moerman
authors: Zwi N
authors: ZN
authors: Berneman
authors: Ignace
authors: I
authors: Vergote
authors: Frédéric
authors: F
authors: Amant
authors: Stefaan W
authors: SW
authors: VAN Gool
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D018274:Electroporation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D025721:WT1 Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D025721:WT1 Proteins
keywords: DC immunotherapy; WT1; endometrial carcinoma; uterine cancer; uterine sarcoma