ABSTRACT
Dendritic cells (DCs) are known for their unique antigen-presenting capacity and their ability to activate naive T cells, thereby orchestrating the primary immune response. In order to elicit an adequate T-cell response in vivo, acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-DCs need to fulfill certain criteria, which can be assessed by in vitro assays. Leukemic origin of AML-DCs can be confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization showing the original chromosomal abnormality in AML-DCs. Reflecting the heterogeneity of the disease, cultured AML-DCs harvested from an array of AML patients form a heterogeneous population with a variable expression of, in particular, the costimulatory molecules. Important lessons can be learnt from early DC-based vaccines targeting other types of malignancies such as melanoma, colon carcinoma, or prostate carcinoma. Meaningful clinical responses provoked by DC vaccines are likely to occur only during an early stage of disease.
