Definition

A cell-based vaccine comprised of K562 cells transfected with the granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene with potential immunopotentiating properties. Vaccination with GM-K562 cells may stimulate the host immune system to produce an antitumoral T-lymphocyte response, thereby inhibiting tumor growth. K562 cells are derived from the human erythroleukemia cell line K562. GM-CSF (also known as sagramostim) expressed by vaccine cells binds to specific cell surface receptors, modulating the proliferation and differentiation of a variety of hematopoietic progenitor cells with some specificity towards stimulation of leukocyte production. GM-CSF also promotes antigen presentation, up-regulates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and increases interleukin-2-mediated lymphokine-activated killer cell function; it may also augment host antitumoral immunity.