Dendritic cells and antigen trapping technology--a revolution in vaccine/immunotherapy strategy

Vaccines based on dendritic cells--the immune system's key responders to foreign invaders--grabbed the spotlight of this decade. Scientists have devised a dozen different ways to make dendritic cell vaccines. They have linked dendritic cells with all kinds of antigens, including peptides derived from gene mutations, tumor/pathogen RNA, viral vectors, and with whole pathogen/tumor lysate. And they are adding cytokines such as granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor or interleukin 4 during dendritic cell growth or maturation or at the site of vaccination to try to boost response. We are still learning the best way to generate the dendritic cells, load them with the antigen and send them to the right place in the body, and use of the biological stage of development of dendritic cells that is best suited to stimulate a response. In the present review attempts have been made to present a comprehensive synopsis of the history, development and ramifications of evolving knowledge on dendritic cell biology and the prospects for being developed as a rational immunotherapeutic tool. Further clinical studies are warranted.