Definition

A cancer vaccine consisting of autologous dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with CD133-positive autologous brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs) –derived mRNA with potential immunostimulatory and antineoplastic activities. Upon intradermal administration, autologous CD133-positive BTSC mRNA-pulsed autologous dendritic cell vaccine may elicit a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against the CD133-positive BTSCs from which the autologous tumor mRNA is derived. CD133, a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) and neural stem cell marker, has been found on a specific subset of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) stem cells; its presence has been correlated with resistance to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy.