Investigators have used allogeneic dendritic cells pulsed with tumor lysates or apoptotic bodies as immunotherapy for patients with early-stage B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

06-26-2006

According to recent research published in the journal Leukemia, "Recently, immunotherapies with allogeneic dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with tumor antigens to generate specific T-cell responses have been tested in clinical trials for patients with solid tumors. This is the first report on a clinical vaccination study with DCs for patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). The potential of allogeneic DCs pulsed ex vivo with tumor cell lysates or apoptotic bodies to stimulate antitumor immunity in patients with B-CLL in early stages was evaluated."

"Monocyte-derived DCs were obtained from unrelated healthy donors," said I. Hus and collaborators at the Medical University of Lublin in Poland and University of Ulm in Germany. "Nine patients (clinical stage 0 and 1 according to Rai) were vaccinated five times with a mean number of 32 x 106 stimulated DCs administered intradermally once every 2 to 3 weeks. No signs of autoimmunity were detected, and only mild local skin reactions were noted. During the treatment period, we observed a decrease of peripheral blood leukocytes and CD19+/CD5+ leukemic cells."

"In one patient, a significant increase of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes against RHAMM/CD168, a recently characterized leukemia-associated antigen, could be detected after DC vaccination," reported the scientists. "Taken together, the study demonstrated that DC vaccination in CLL patients is feasible and safe. Immunological and to some extent hematological responses could be noted, justifying further investigation on this immunotherapeutical approach."

Hus and associates published their study in Leukemia (Allogeneic dendritic cells pulsed with tumor lysates or apoptotic bodies as immunotherapy for patients with early-stage B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia, 2005;19(9):1621-1627).

For additional information, contact Michael Schmitt, Third Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulm, Robert-Koch-Strasse 8, D-89081 Ulm, Germany. michael.schmitt@uni-ulm.de.

Keywords: Ulm, Germany, Leukemia Vaccine, Vaccine Development, Cancer Vaccine, Dendritic Cell Vaccine, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Immunology, Immunotherapy, Oncology.

This article was prepared by Cancer Vaccine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Cancer Vaccine Week via NewsRx.com.