Methods and compositions using peptide-pulsed dendritic cells for stimulating cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for tumor cells or virus-infected cells

摘要

A novel method of immunization, which can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically, is described. The method comprises coating of antigen presenting cells with a peptide and administering the peptide-coated cells to a mammalian subject to provoke an immune response. Useful peptides include peptides derived from viral or bacterial antigens or mutant oncogene or tumor suppressor gene products. Immunogens, constituted by the peptide-coated cells, are also described.