Objective: To investigate the induction of antitumor immune response and therapeutic effects of the vaccination with the fused cells between tumor cells and GM-CSF gene -modified dendritic cells.
Methods: The dendritic cells were isolated from the spleens of C57BL/6 mice, infected with GM-CSF adenovirus, and then fused with B16 murine melanoma cells. The positive fused cells were enriched by magnetic cell sorting with anti-Ia antibody and adherent culture. The protective and therapeutic effects of the vaccination with the fused cells were investigated.
Results: Vaccination with the inactivated fused cells induced more potent CTL activity against parental B16.F10 cells, and led to the resistance against the rechallenge of alive parental B16.F10 cells. After treatment with the inactivatedly fused cells, the survival time of the tumor-bearing was mice greatly extended and the metastatic tumor nodules on the pulmonary surfaces reduced.
Conclusions: Vaccination with the fused cells between tumor cells and dendritic cells could elicit potent antitumor responses, and combined with GM-CSF gene transfection, more potent results can be achieved.