Antitumor activity of a fusion of esophageal carcinoma cells with dendritic cells derived from cord blood

The aim of this experiment was to develop a cytotoxic cancer vaccine (EC 109-DC) prepared by fusions of esophageal carcinoma cells with dendritic cells derived from cord blood and to Study the biological characteristics and resultant induction of antitumor immunity. CD34(+) hematopoietic stern cells were isolated from cord blood using a CD34(+) Progenitor Cell Isolation Kit by magnetic cell sorting system (MACS). CD34(+) cells were incubated with rhGM-CSF, rhTNF-alpha and rhSCF for 2 weeks as DC (dendritic cells), and then by PEG-3600 to fuse with all esophageal carcinoma cell line. Selection with MACS marked with HLA-DR MicroBeads generated EC109-DC. Phenotypes and proliferation were analyzed by flow cytornetry and Cell Culture in vitro. The lymphocyte proliferation reaction and CTL cytotoxicity were examined by MTT assay. The EC109-DC cells could proliferate slowly in vitro and highly expressed CD80. CD83 and CD86. The lymphocyte proliferation reaction and specific cytotoxicity against EC109 induced by EC109-DC cells were significantly higher than in control groups p < 0.05). EC109-DC cells obtained by PEG fusion acquired the inimuno-stimulating phenotype and Could significantly stimulate the lymphocyte proliferation reaction and CTL activity. The results of this research provide the basis for materials to develop the DC-based vaccine against esophageal carcinoma. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.