Dendritic cell-based immunotherapy of renal cell carcinoma

Dendritic cells potently stimulate antigen-specific immune responses and re cent data indicate that they are also capable of eliciting antitumor immune responses, We are performing a pilot study which tests the safety and effi cacy of antigen-loaded, cultured blood dendritic cells in patients with met astatic renal cell carcinoma, Dendritic cells are simultaneously pulsed wit h lysate from autologous tumor cells and with the immunogenic protein keyho le limpet hemocyanin, During the pulse, the cells are activated with a comb ination of tumor necrosis factor-cr. and prostaglandin E-2, Patients receiv e 5-10 x 10(6) dendritic cells per intravenous infusion and up to six infus ions at monthly intervals, The first results demonstrate that this treatmen t modality is very well tolerated and can be associated with strong immunol ogical and clinical responses. The present article discusses the importance of dendritic cell maturation and the role of helper antigens in dendritic cell-based immunotherapy.