Definition

A cell-based cancer vaccine composed of autologous dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with a peptide derived from the tumor associated antigen human cancer-testis antigen NY-ESO-1 (NY-ESO-1(157-165)), with potential immunostimulatory and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, the NY-ESO-1(157-165) peptide-pulsed autologous dendritic cell vaccine may stimulate the immune system to mount both an anti-tumoral cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and an antibody-mediated immune response against NY-ESO-1-expressing tumor cells, which may result in tumor cell lysis. NY-ESO-1 is expressed both in normal testes and on the surfaces of various tumor cells, and plays a key role in tumor cell proliferation and survival.