IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER USING DENDRITIC CELLS

While the promise of harnessing the immune system for a therapeutic ef fect has remained largely unfulfilled for many years, the discovery of the central role of dendritic cells in stimulating antigen-specific i mmune responses has prompted new enthusiasm for immunotherapy of malig nancies. Elucidation of the pathways of dendritic cell development and trafficking, acquisition and processing of antigen, and stimulation o f T cells has suggested methods for generating and antigen-loading den dritic cells for use in immunotherapy protocols. Animal models have de monstrated that dendritic cells can stimulate protective antitumor res ponses in vivo. Phase I clinical trials have been initiated to address the safety and feasibility of immunizations with dendritic cells in h umans with various malignancies.