Scientists at Hammersmith Hospital, Department of Immunology detail research in cancer vaccines
2007 NOV 19 -- Researchers detail in 'Induction of tumor-specific T-cell responses by vaccination with tumor lysate-loaded dendritic cells in colorectal cancer patients with carcinoembryonic-antigen positive tumors,' new data in cancer. According to recent research from London, the United Kingdom, "Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most effective antigen-presenting cells. In the last decade, the use of DCs for immunotherapy of cancer patients has been vastly increased." "High endocytic capacity together with a unique capability of initiating primary T-cell responses have made DCs the most potent candidates for this purpose. Although DC vaccination occasionally leads to tumor regression, clinical efficacy, and immunogenicity of DCs in clinical trials has not been yet clarified. The present study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of tumor-lysate loaded DC vaccines in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) positive tumors Six patients HLA-A*0201-positive were vaccinated with autologous DCs loaded with tumor lysates (TL) together with tetanus toxoid antigen, hepatitis B, and influenza matrix peptides. Two additional patients were injected with DCs that were generated from their sibling or parent with one haplotype mismatch. All patients received the vaccines every 2 weeks, with a total of three intra-nodal injections per patient. The results indicated that DC vaccination was safe and well tolerated by the patients. Specific immune responses were detected and in some patients, transient stabilization or even reduction of CEA levels were observed. The injection of haplotype mismatched HLA-A*0201-positive DCs resulted in some enhancement of the anti-tumor response in vitro and led to stabilization/reduction of CEA levels in the serum, compared to the use of autologous DCs Altogether, these results suggest that TL-pulsed DCs may be an effective vaccine method in CRC patients," wrote A. Tamir and colleagues, Hammersmith Hospital, Department of Immunology. The researchers concluded: "Elimination of regulatory mechanisms as well as adjustment of the vaccination protocol may improve the efficacy of DC vaccination." Tamir and colleagues published their study in Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy (Induction of tumor-specific T-cell responses by vaccination with tumor lysate-loaded dendritic cells in colorectal cancer patients with carcinoembryonic-antigen positive tumors. Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, 2007;56(12):2003-16). For additional information, contact A. Tamir, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, Dept. of Immunology, London, UK. Publisher contact information for the journal Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy is: Springer, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA. Keywords: United Kingdom, London, Biological Therapy, Biotechnology, Cancer Vaccines, Carcinoembryonic Antigen, Clinical Trial Research, Colon Cancer, Colon Carcinoma, Colorectal, Gastroenterology, Immunology, Immunotherapy, Oncology, Treatment. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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