Definition

A cell-based cancer vaccine composed of autologous dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with corpses of apoptotic leukemic cells, with potential immunostimulatory and antineoplastic activities. Upon vaccination, autologous dendritic cells pulsed with leukemic apoptotic corpse may activate the immune system to mount an anti-tumoral cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against leukemic cells expressing leukemia-associated antigens, which may result in leukemic cell lysis and inhibition of tumor cell growth. Apoptotic tumor cell corpses contain an array of tumor associated antigens (TAAs).