Immunotheraphy of Breast with Tumor RNA Transfected Dendritic Cell Vaccines
Abstract
The major research focus of this grant is to develop effective treatments for patients with low volume metastatic disease using dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines loaded with tumor RNA. Toward this goal, during the first year of this grant we have made the following progress: (1). We have shown that treatment of DC after transfection with RNA with TNF-alpha: or CD4OL enhances their function as measured by in vitro CTL induction. Based on these observations and pending additional optimizations we plan to incorporate the use of CD4OL treatment in the clinical protocol. (2). We were able to isolate and amplify RNA from frozen tumor sections without apparent loss of function-as indicated by the ability of the amplified RNA to stimulate CTL responses. however, additional studies as outlined in the original grant applications will be necessary to optimize and adapt this strategy for clinical use. Successful RNA amplification may obviate the need of limiting patient accrual to those from whom sufficient cells can be generated (Specific aim #2) and proceed to the more encompassing protocol described in Specific aim #4. (3). We were unsuccessful in obtaining sufficient breast tumor cells for isolation-of sufficient quantities to preclude the need for amplification. We are developing an alternative approach using immunoselection columns in collaboration with Nexcell Therapeutics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA385308
Entities
People
- Eli Gilboa
Organizations
- Duke University Hospital