Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Generation of a Novel Dendritic-cell Vaccine Using Melanoma and Squamous Cancer Stem Cells
Published on: January 6, 2014
A dendritic cell based hybrid cell vaccine generated by electrofusion for immunotherapy strategies in HNSCC
Jan Bernd Weise1, Steffen Maune, Tibor Görögh
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 14, D-24105 Kiel, Germany. jweise@hno.uni-kiel.de
Objective:
Hybrid cells generated from dendritic cells (DC) and tumor cells provide tumor-associated antigens (TAA) in a polyvalent mode and therefore they have aroused interest in cancer immunotherapy. The present study was designed to investigate the hybrid cell generation and optimize its implementation for a TAA-target treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
Methods:
Hybrid cells from mature DC and laryngeal carcinoma cell line UTSCC-19A were generated by electrofusion. Fusion efficiency and viability were determined by flow cytometry, light and fluorescence microscopy analyses.
Results:
The gradual electrofusion process constituted real human tumor and dendritic cell hybrids characterized by polynuclear cells and double staining as a result of overlay of red (HLA-DR:R-PE) and green (HEA:FITC) fluorescence. Furthermore, analyses have proven viability of fusion results, and factors influencing fusion yield were determined.
Conclusion:
Physical fusion of mature dendritic cells with laryngeal carcinoma cells provides a dendritic cell based hybrid cell vaccine as a quantitative prerequisite for anti-cancer vaccination. Specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes need to be induced before hybrid cell application in clinical studies.
Related Concept Videos
Tumor Immunotherapy
Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Hybridoma Technology
Hybridoma Selection
Commonly used fusion techniques — electroporation, polyethylene glycol...

