Definition

A cell-based cancer vaccine composed of dendritic cells (DC) pulsed with peptides derived from the tumor-associated antigens human cancer/testis antigen NY-ESO-1 and melanoma antigen recognized by T-cells (MART-1/Melan-A), with potential immunostimulatory and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, the NY-ESO-1/MART-1 peptide-pulsed DC vaccine may stimulate the immune system to mount an anti-tumor cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against NY-ESO-1/MART-1-expressing tumor cells, which may result in tumor cell lysis. NY-ESO-1 is expressed both in normal testes and on the surfaces of various tumor cells. MART-1 is expressed by melanoma cells.