autologous myeloma cells + allogeneic granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor producing cell line

This is a **cell-based cancer immunotherapy** composed of autologous (patient-derived) myeloma cells admixed with an allogeneic (donor-derived) cell line genetically engineered to secrete **granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor** (GM-CSF). The GM-CSF-producing cell line enhances the immune stimulation at the vaccination site by recruiting and activating dendritic cells, which present tumor antigens from the autologous myeloma cells to the patient’s immune system, aiming to induce tumor-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. The most commonly used bystander cell line in clinical trials is the GM-CSF–secreting K562 cell line. This combinatorial approach leverages patient-specific tumor antigens (from autologous cancer cells) together with “off-the-shelf” immune activation (via the engineered cell line). It has been assessed in trials for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, often as adjuvant therapy to stem cell transplantation or combined with chemotherapy or immunomodulation.

Brand names

GVAX

Other names

autologous myeloma cells admixed with GM-CSF–secreting allogeneic cell linemixed GVAX platform