Mage-3 and influenza-matrix peptide-specific cytotoxic T cells are inducible in terminal stage HLA-A2.1+ melanoma patients by mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

Journal article

Dendritic cell (DC) vaccination, albeit still in an early stage, is a promising strategy to induce immunity to cancer. We explored whether DC can expand Ag-specific CD8+ T cells even in far-advanced stage IV melanoma patients. We found that three to five biweekly vaccinations of mature, monocyte-derived DC (three vaccinations of 6 x 106 s.c. followed by two i.v. ones of 6 and 12 x 106, respectively) pulsed with Mage-3A2.1 tumor and influenza matrix A2. 1-positive control peptides as well as the recall Ag tetanus toxoid (in three of eight patients) generated in all eight patients Ag-specific effector CD8+ T cells that were detectable in blood directly ex vivo. This is the first time that active, melanoma peptide-specific, IFN-gamma-producing, effector CD8+ T cells have been reliably observed in patients vaccinated with melanoma Ags. Therefore, our DC vaccination strategy performs an adjuvant role and encourages further optimization of this new immunization approach.

Authors: Schuler-Thurner, B; Dieckmann, D; Keikavoussi, P; Bender, A; Maczek, C

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of Immunology
• Volume: 165
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 3492-3496
• Publication date: 2000-09-01
• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.165.6.3492
• EISSN: 1550-6606
• ISSN: 0022-1767
• Language: English
• Keywords: T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic; Cell Differentiation; Melanoma; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Viral Matrix Proteins; Cancer Vaccines; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Injections, Subcutaneous; Lymphocyte Activation; Neoplasm Proteins; Antigens, Neoplasm; Tetanus Toxoid; Peptides; Monocytes; Cells, Cultured; Dendritic Cells; Injections, Intravenous; Humans; Immunization, Secondary