Adjuvant treatment by in vivo activation of dendritic cells

摘要

The immunogenicity of an antigen is enhanced by increasing the specific antigen presenting function of dendritic cells (DC) in a mammalian host. The host is treated with a DC mobilization agent to increase the number of circulating DC precursors. The host is then given a local, injection of antigen in combination with a DC activating agent. The activation step promotes recruitment and maturation of the DC, along with antigen-specific activation and migration from the tissues to lymphoid organs. These DC then effectively interact with, and present processed antigen to, T cells that are then able to respond to the antigen. In one aspect of the invention, the antigen is a tumor antigen, and is used to enhance the host immune response to tumor cells present in the body.