Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
08:40
Preparation of Tumor Antigen-loaded Mature Dendritic Cells for Immunotherapy
Published on: August 1, 2013
Modulation of antitumor responses by dendritic cells
Johannes Vieweg1, Andrew Jackson
1Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, MSRB, Suite 455, P.O. Box 2626, Durham, NC 27710, USA. j.vieweg@duke.edu
Springer Seminars in Immunopathology
|December 21, 2004
Summary
Dendritic cell (DC) cancer vaccines show safety and bioactivity but require enhanced potency for robust therapeutic effects. Emerging strategies aim to improve DC function and overcome immune suppression for better cancer treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial regulators of antitumor immunity.
- DC-based cancer vaccines have demonstrated safety and bioactivity in early trials.
- Current DC vaccines elicit insufficient immune responses for durable therapeutic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present emerging concepts for enhancing the efficacy of DC-based cancer vaccines.
- To outline a framework for a multi-pronged approach to improve DC vaccination.
- To address limitations in current DC vaccine-induced antitumor responses.
Main Methods:
- Review of emerging concepts in DC-based immunotherapy.
- Framework development for enhancing DC-mediated T cell activation.
- Identification of strategies to inhibit immune suppressive mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Established safety and bioactivity of antigen-loaded DC vaccines.
- Demonstrated immunological and clinical responses in some patients.
- Identified need for improved vaccine potency and overcoming immune suppression.
Conclusions:
- Further improvements in DC vaccine design are necessary for robust clinical success.
- A multi-pronged approach enhancing DC function and overcoming suppression shows promise.
- Clinical translation of these concepts offers new avenues for cancer immunotherapy.
Related Concept Videos
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Overview
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
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...
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...