Dendritic cells as therapeutic vaccines against cancer.

Baylor Institute for Immunology Research, 3434 Live Oak, Dallas, Texas 75204, USA. jacquesb@baylorhealth.edu

Mouse studies have shown that the immune system can reject tumours, and the identification of tumour antigens that can be recognized by human T cells has facilitated the development of immunotherapy protocols. Vaccines against cancer aim to induce tumour-specific effector T cells that can reduce the tumour mass, as well as tumour-specific memory T cells that can control tumour relapse. Owing to their capacity to regulate T-cell immunity, dendritic cells are increasingly used as adjuvants for vaccination, and the immunogenicity of antigens delivered by dendritic cells has now been shown in patients with cancer. A better understanding of how dendritic cells regulate immune responses will allow us to better exploit these cells to induce effective antitumour immunity.

PMID: 15803149 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]