Células dendríticas II: utilización clínica en vacunación antitumoral

Abstract

Cancer immunotherapy seeks to mobilize the patient's immune system for therapeutic benefit. It can be active, as in vaccination. Dendritic cells play a central role in immune response. The type of immune response obtained depends on the regulation by the DC. Ex vivo generated and antigen-loaded DC have been used as vaccines to improve immunity in patients with cancer and chronic HIV infection, thus providing a “proof-of-principle” that DC vaccines can work. Nine preparations for antitumoral vaccination in patients have achieved phase III studies. Between them, only sipuleucel-T, for the treatment of metastatic hormone refractory prostate cancer, using DC, has received a preliminary approval of the FDA of the United States.