Combined immunocell therapy using activated lymphocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells for malignant melanoma

The beneficial effects of immunocell therapy, using either activated lymphocytes (ALs) or dendritic cells (DCs), in the treatment of melanoma has been demonstrated. DCs are professional antigen-presenting cells that induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes against tumor cells. DC therapy may be promising when combined with ALs.

Patients with advanced melanoma, who underwent immunocell therapy with both ALs and DCs, were reviewed. DCs were pulsed with tumor lysates, peptides or both.

Side-effects were occasional slight fever and skin erythema. Among 8 of the 14 patients treated with immunocell therapy alone, 1 showed a mixed response (MR) and 1 prolonged stable disease (SD). In the remaining 6 patients treated with immunocell therapy and other conventional therapies, 1 CR, 1 MR and 1 prolonged SD for 24 months were observed.

Combined immunocell therapy was well tolerated and showed a relatively high tumor response. This treatment may have therapeutic potential for some refractory malignancies.