Neoantigen peptide-MHC complex on autologous dendritic cells (Neo-DCVac)

Neoantigen peptide-MHC complexes on autologous dendritic cells represent a personalized immunotherapy approach where a patient's own dendritic cells are loaded with tumor-specific neoantigens. These neoantigens are identified through genomic sequencing of the patient's tumor and are unique to the individual's cancer, minimizing off-target effects on healthy tissue [1, 2]. Once administered, these armed dendritic cells present the neoantigen-MHC complexes to T-cell receptors, priming a potent and specific immune response [3, 6]. This process activates both CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and CD4+ helper T cells, which then seek out and destroy tumor cells expressing the same neoantigens [10, 13]. This modality is particularly promising for treating solid tumors and overcoming resistance to standard checkpoint inhibitors [3, 11]. The manufacturing process involves identifying mutations via next-generation sequencing, selecting immunogenic neoepitopes, and ex vivo maturation of autologous DCs before re-infusion into the patient [1, 6].

Other names

Personalized neoantigen dendritic cell vaccineNeoantigen-loaded autologous dendritic cellsNeo-DCVacAutologous neoantigen-pulsed DC vaccineNeoantigen-pulsed MoDC

Presentation of tumor-specific neoantigens by dendritic cells to T-cell receptors (TCRs), leading to the activation and expansion of neoantigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that target and kill tumor cells.