Abstract
Background
Dendritic cells (DCs) could be used as potential cellular adjuvant for the production of specific tumor vaccines.
Objectives
Our study was aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous pulsed DC vaccine in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in comparison with supportive treatment.
Methods
Thirty patients with advanced HCC not suitable for radical or loco-regional therapies were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups, group I consisted of 15 patients received I.D vaccination with mature autologous DCs pulsed ex vivo with a liver tumor cell line lysate. Group II (control group, no. 15) received supportive treatment. One hundred and 4 ml of venous blood were obtained from each patient to generate DCs. DCs were identified by CD80, CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR expressions using flow cytometry. Follow up at 3, and 6 months post injection by clinical, radiological and laboratory assessment was done.
Results
Improvement in overall survival was observed. Partial radiological response was obtained in 2 patients (13.3 %), stable course in 9 patients (60 %) and 4 patients (26.7 %) showed progressive disease (died at 4 months post-injection). Both CD8+ T cells and serum interferon gamma were elevated after DCs injection.
Conclusion
Autologous DC vaccination in advanced HCC patients is safe and well tolerate.
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Abbreviations
- AFP:
-
Alfa feto protein
- BM:
-
Bone marrow
- CTL:
-
Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte
- DC:
-
Dendritic cells
- HCC:
-
Hepatocellular carcinoma
- ID:
-
Intradermal
- IFN-γ:
-
Iterferon gamma
- TACE:
-
Transarterial chemoembolization
- TSA:
-
Tumor-specific antigens
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported in part by grants from Kasr Al-Aini Hospital. We also thank El-Ansary private laboratories and our patients for their willing participation in our research.
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The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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ClinicalTrials.gov number: REC 49-2010.
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El Ansary, M., Mogawer, S., Elhamid, S.A. et al. Immunotherapy by autologous dendritic cell vaccine in patients with advanced HCC. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 139, 39–48 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-012-1298-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-012-1298-8