autologous CD1c (BDCA-1)+ myeloid dendritic cells

Autologous CD1c (BDCA-1)+ myeloid dendritic cells represent a specialized form of cellular immunotherapy where naturally occurring myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) are isolated from a patient's own blood, rather than being differentiated from monocytes in vitro. These CD1c+ mDCs are a distinct subset of professional antigen-presenting cells that constitutively express high levels of MHC class I and II, as well as co-stimulatory molecules like CD80 and CD86. In clinical applications, primarily developed by Radboud University Medical Center, these cells are loaded with tumor-associated antigens (such as peptides or mRNA) and re-infused into the patient—often via intranodal injection—to prime and activate tumor-specific CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. This approach leverages the superior migratory and functional maturity of naturally circulating DCs compared to conventional monocyte-derived dendritic cells, aiming to enhance the anti-tumor immune response in malignancies such as melanoma and prostate cancer.

Other names

CD1c+ myeloid dendritic cellsBDCA-1+ myeloid dendritic cellsautologous CD1c+ mDCsnatural myeloid dendritic cellsnDCs