Definition

A cell-based cancer vaccine composed of autologous dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with tumor-specific antigen(s) (TSAs), with potential immunostimulatory and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration of the autologous TSA-loaded DCs, the DCs stimulate a specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated immune response against the tumor cells expressing the TSA(s), resulting in tumor cell lysis.