GM.CD40L autologous tumor cell vaccine

The GM.CD40L autologous tumor cell vaccine is an investigational cell-based biologic immunotherapy developed by the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute for the treatment of advanced malignant melanoma. The vaccine is formulated by mixing irradiated autologous tumor cells, derived from the patient's own tumor, 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). This combination is designed to stimulate a potent anti-tumor immune response: GM-CSF recruits and activates dendritic cells at the injection site, while CD40L provides a maturation signal to these cells, helping them overcome tumor-induced immune suppression. The activated dendritic cells then present patient-specific tumor antigens to T cells, inducing a systemic immune response. The therapy has been evaluated in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials for patients with stage IIIC and IV melanoma.

Other names

Bystander-Based Autologous Tumor Cell VaccineGM.CD40L bystander cell-based autologous tumor cell vaccineGM.CD40L autologous tumor cell vaccine