title: Targeting breast cancer stem cells by dendritic cell vaccination in humanized mice with breast tumor: preliminary results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast cancer (BC) is one of the leading cancers in women. Recent progress has enabled BC to be cured with high efficiency. However, late detection or metastatic disease often renders the disease untreatable. Additionally, relapse is the main cause of death in BC patients. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are considered to cause the development of BC and are thought to be responsible for metastasis and relapse. This study aimed to target BCSCs using dendritic cells (DCs) to treat tumor-bearing humanized mice models.
  
  
  METHODS
  NOD/SCID mice were used to produce the humanized mice by transplantation of human hematopoietic stem cells. Human BCSCs were injected into the mammary fat pad to produce BC humanized mice. Both hematopoietic stem cells and DCs were isolated from the human umbilical cord blood, and immature DCs were produced from cultured mononuclear cells. DCs were matured by BCSC-derived antigen incubation for 48 hours. Mature DCs were vaccinated to BC humanized mice with a dose of 10(6) cells/mice, and the survival percentage was monitored in both treated and untreated groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that DC vaccination could target BCSCs and reduce the tumor size and prolong survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggested that targeting BCSCs with DCs is a promising therapy for BC.
authors: Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
authors: Phuc Van
authors: PV
authors: Pham
authors: Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
authors: Hanh Thi
authors: HT
authors: Le
authors: Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
authors: Binh Thanh
authors: BT
authors: Vu
authors: Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
authors: Viet Quoc
authors: VQ
authors: Pham
authors: Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
authors: Phong Minh
authors: PM
authors: Le
authors: Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
authors: Nhan Lu-Chinh
authors: NL
authors: Phan
authors: Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
authors: Ngu Van
authors: NV
authors: Trinh
authors: Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
authors: Huyen Thi-Lam
authors: HT
authors: Nguyen
authors: Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
authors: Sinh Truong
authors: ST
authors: Nguyen
authors: Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Dong, Ha Noi, Vietnam.
authors: Toan Linh
authors: TL
authors: Nguyen
authors: Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
authors: Ngoc Kim
authors: NK
authors: Phan
keywords: breast cancer; breast cancer stem cells; humanized mice; targeting cancer stem cells; targeting cancer therapy