Definition

A cancer vaccine containing autologous dendritic cells pulsed with a fusion product of an epitope of human tumor-associated epithelial mucin 1 (MUC1) antigen and the vaccine adjuvant mannan (oxidized mannose), with potential antineoplastic activity. When the modified dendritic cells are returned to the patient, they may stimulate the host immune system to mount a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against tumor cells positive for the MUC1 antigen, resulting in tumor cell lysis. Addition of manna in this vaccine, enhances immune recognition. MUC1 antigen, a high-molecular-weight transmembrane glycoprotein, is overexpressed on many tumor cells.