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Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy Targeting Synthesized Peptides for Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

The aim of this retrospective study was to clarify the safety and efficacy of dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy targeting synthesized peptides, Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) and Mucin 1, cell surface associated (MUC1) for biliary tract cancers (BTCs).

Methods

Sixty-five patients who had nonresectable, recurrent, or metastatic BTCs and received the DC-based immunotherapy were selected for the study. DCs were pulsed with WT1 and/or MUC1. The adverse events (AEs) and clinical responses were examined.

Results

No serious treatment-related AEs were observed. Median survival time (MST) from diagnosis and from the first vaccination was 18.5 and 7.2 months, respectively. By multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, the significant independent factors were found to be (1) combined chemotherapy, (2) albumin level ≥4.0 g/dL before vaccination, (3) C-reactive protein level <0.5 mg/dL before vaccination, and (4) fever after vaccination. The MST from the first vaccination with or without chemotherapy was 8.2 and 5.3 months, respectively (P = 0.016), and MST for the patients with prognostic nutritional index ≥40 and <40 was 8.1 and 5.0 months, respectively (P = 0.023).

Conclusions

Although a small uncontrolled nonrandomized study, DC-based immunotherapy for BTCs was safe and produced a clinical response for the patients who underwent chemotherapy and maintained a good nutrition status.

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Abbreviations

BTC:

Biliary tract cancer

DC:

Dendritic cell

WT1:

Wilms tumor 1

MUC1:

Mucin 1, cell surface associated

IHC staining:

Immunohistochemical staining

MST:

Median survival time

ORR:

Objective response rate

DCR:

Disease control rate

RECIST:

Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors

mGPS:

Modified Glasgow prognostic score

PNI:

Prognostic nutritional index

CRP:

C-reactive protein

Treg:

Regulatory T cell

CTLs:

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes

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Acknowledgments

This report is dedicated to the patients who participated in our study and their primary oncology doctors. No funding supported this study.

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no financial or personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence our work.

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Correspondence to Masaki Nagaya.

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Kobayashi, M., Sakabe, T., Abe, H. et al. Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy Targeting Synthesized Peptides for Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer. J Gastrointest Surg 17, 1609–1617 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-013-2286-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-013-2286-2

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