Phenotypic and Functional Differences of Dendritic Cells Generated Under Different In Vitro Conditions

The immune system is capable of recognizing and rejecting autologous tumor cells. This is suggested by reported cases of spontaneous remission of various cancers (1 ) and the presence of infiltrating leukocytes, the majority of which consist of T cells. However, the very existence of cancer and its inevitable progression without treatment demonstrates the inefficiency of the natural immune defense in combating tumors and the ability of neoplastic cells to evade immune-surveillance. Thus, the major objectives of immunotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of cancer rely on the ability to augment adaptive and natural immune responses against malignant cells.