Dendritic cell-based autologous tumor vaccines for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

An autologous vaccine of apoptotic tumor cells (ATCs) and dendritic cells (DCs) was administered to patients with stage III/IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to study safety and feasibility.

METHODS:

Autologous DCs were generated from monocytes, loaded with ATCs, and delivered intranodally. Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and immunological endpoints were measured prevaccination and postvaccination. Clinical follow-up was required.

RESULTS:

Tumors obtained from 30 patients yielded 2 × 10(6) to 2 × 10(8) tumor cells. Only 19 of 30 (63%) were sterile. Ten of 30 patients (33%) had ≥1 × 10(7) sterile tumor cells required for vaccine production. Eight of 10 patients had positive recall DTH. Five of 10 patients were leukapheresed to generate DCs. Four of 5 patients were vaccinated. ATC-reactive T cells were detected in 3 of 4 patients. All 4 patients survived >5 years. The trial failed to enroll the projected 12 patients and was terminated.

CONCLUSION:

This vaccine was safe and immunogenic but feasible only in patients with HNSCC with positive prevaccine DTH and ≥1 × 10(7) sterile tumor cells. All vaccinated patients were long-term disease-free survivors. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E494-E501, 2016.

• Authors: Theresa L Whiteside, Robert L Ferris, Miroslaw Szczepanski, Mitchell Tublin, Joseph Kiss, Rita Johnson, Jonas T Johnson
• Journal: Head & neck (Head Neck) Vol. 38 Suppl 1 Pg. E494-501 (04 2016) ISSN: 1097-0347 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25735641 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Cancer Vaccines

Topics

• Apoptosis
• Cancer Vaccines (therapeutic use)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (prevention & control)
• Dendritic Cells
• Disease-Free Survival
• Feasibility Studies
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (prevention & control)
• Humans
• Hypersensitivity, Delayed
• Pilot Projects