Definition

A personalized cell-based cancer vaccine composed of autologous dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with immunogenic peptides derived from autologous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. During leukapheresis, mature DCs are loaded with autologous NSCLC-derived peptides. Upon re-administration of the NSCLC peptide-specific DC vaccine, the immune system is exposed to NSCLC-associated antigens. This results in the induction of a specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against NSCLC cells and tumor cell lysis.