dendritic cells + activated cytotoxic T-cells

This therapy is a combination immunotherapy involving the administration of ex vivo antigen-loaded dendritic cells (DCs) together with activated cytotoxic T-cells (primarily CD8+ T lymphocytes). The process typically involves isolating patient-derived mononuclear cells, priming DCs with tumor antigens ex vivo to ensure proper maturation and antigen presentation, and then co-culturing these DCs with peripheral blood mononuclear cells to activate and expand tumor-specific cytotoxic T-cells. Both the antigen-loaded DCs and the pool of activated cytotoxic lymphocytes are then administered back to the patient. The mechanism of action relies on enhanced cross-presentation by DCs leading to robust activation, expansion, and persistence of tumor-specific CD8+ effector T-cells capable of targeting cancer cells. This approach aims to overcome immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment by providing both professional antigen-presenting signals (from DCs) and a direct effector cell population (activated CTLs), resulting in improved anti-tumor immunity. It has been investigated primarily for advanced cancers such as metastatic breast cancer[2][5].

Other names

autologous dendritic cells and activated cytotoxic T-cellsDC-activated PBMCs