Patient-specific tumor antigens presented on MHC class I and II of autologous dendritic cells (NeoAg-DC)

Patient-specific tumor antigens presented on MHC class I and II of autologous dendritic cells represent a personalized immunotherapy approach designed to prime the immune system against a patient's unique cancer profile (Saxena et al., 2021, Nature Reviews Cancer). Dendritic cells, the most potent antigen-presenting cells, are harvested from the patient, matured, and loaded with tumor-specific antigens—often neoantigens derived from somatic mutations—before being re-infused (Ott et al., 2017, Nature). Once inside the body, these cells present the antigens via Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I and II molecules to CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, respectively (Liau et al., 2023, JAMA Oncology). This dual presentation is crucial for generating a robust, long-lasting cytotoxic T-cell response and helper T-cell support. This strategy aims to overcome the tumor's ability to evade the immune system by focusing the attack on targets that are exclusively or highly expressed on malignant cells. Clinical applications include vaccines for glioblastoma, melanoma, and prostate cancer, where they serve to induce systemic anti-tumor immunity (Kantoff et al., 2010, NEJM).

Other names

Neoantigen-pulsed dendritic cellsAutologous dendritic cell vaccinePersonalized tumor-associated antigen-presenting cellsMHC-peptide complexes on dendritic cellsTumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cells

Activation of tumor-specific T-lymphocytes through the presentation of tumor-derived peptides on MHC molecules by autologous dendritic cells.