autologous tumor cell-based vaccine (GM.CD40L)

This investigational autologous cellular immunotherapy was developed by the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The vaccine is formulated by combining a patient's own irradiated tumor cells with a universal bystander cell line (K562) that has been genetically engineered to secrete Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) and express CD40 Ligand (CD40L). The mechanism of action relies on the bystander cells to recruit and activate dendritic cells, which then process and present tumor-associated antigens from the autologous cells to the immune system. This process is designed to elicit a robust, tumor-specific T-cell response. In clinical trials, the vaccine has been evaluated as part of a multi-step protocol involving chemotherapy and subsequent administration with low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) to enhance therapeutic efficacy.

Other names

autologous tumor cell-based vaccine-H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute-mantle cell lymphomaGM.CD40L-expressing bystander cell vaccineautologous tumor cell vaccine modified with GM.CD40L bystander cells