Dendritic cells transfected with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) total RNA induce specific immune responses against HCC in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Immunotherapy is an effective method for preventing metastasis and recurrence of carcinoma. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy with a high rate of recurrence, and has not successfully been introduced to immunotherapy.

METHODS:

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from whole blood of HCC patients and stimulated to transform into dendritic cells (DCs). These DCs were then transfected with RNA extracted from HepG-2 hepatoma cells to induce expression of specific antigens.

RESULTS:

The transfected DCs stimulated T lymphocytes to produce cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which specifically attacked HepG-2 cells. Injection of T lymphocytes from HCC patients and transfected DCs into severe combined immunodeficiency mice limited the growth of HepG-2 tumors.

CONCLUSION:

A specific immune response against hepatoma can be generated in vivo by administering DCs transfected with RNA from a specific tumor. This method may have therapeutic application in humans to reduce recurrence of HCC.

• Authors: B H Xie, J Y Yang, H P Li, B Zhang, W Chen, B Zhou, B G Peng, L J Liang, Q He
• Journal: Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico (Clin Transl Oncol) Vol. 16 Issue 8 Pg. 753-60 (Aug 2014) ISSN: 1699-3055 [Electronic] Italy
• PMID: 24338510 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Neoplasm
• Cancer Vaccines
• RNA, Neoplasm

Topics

• Animals
• Antigens, Neoplasm (immunology)
• Cancer Vaccines (immunology)
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (immunology)
• Dendritic Cells (immunology, transplantation)
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• In Vitro Techniques
• Liver Neoplasms (immunology)
• Mice
• RNA, Neoplasm (immunology)
• T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic (immunology)
• Transfection
• Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays