Definition

A type-1-polarized dendritic cell (DC1)-based cancer vaccine against the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2; EGFR2, ERBB2), with potential immunomodulatory and antineoplastic activities. Upon intratumoral administration of the anti-HER2 DC vaccine, the immune system gets exposed to HER2, which may stimulate a potent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against HER2-positive tumor cells. This may result in tumor cell death and decreased tumor growth. HER2, a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family of receptor tyrosine kinases, is overexpressed by a variety of cancers.