dendritic cells pulsed with alpha-galactosylceramide

Dendritic cells pulsed with alpha-galactosylceramide (DC/Gal) is an autologous or allogeneic cell-based immunotherapy designed to activate invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. Alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) is a synthetic glycolipid that, when presented by the MHC class I-like molecule CD1d on the surface of dendritic cells, acts as a potent agonist for the iNKT cell receptor. This interaction triggers the rapid activation and expansion of iNKT cells, leading to the secretion of large amounts of cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). This cascade subsequently activates other components of the innate and adaptive immune systems, including natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), to mount a robust anti-tumor response. In clinical development, particularly in Japan, DC/Gal is being evaluated for various malignancies, including head and neck cancer and lung cancer, often in combination with other NKT cell-targeted therapies.

Other names

alpha-galactosylceramide-pulsed dendritic cellsalpha-GalCer-pulsed DCsKRN7000-pulsed dendritic cellsKRN-7000-pulsed dendritic cellsKRN 7000-pulsed dendritic cells