COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR INCREASING THE IMMUNOGENICITY OF TUMOR CELLS

摘要

The present invention is directed to a method of inhibiting tumor cell growth. Tumor cells from a patient are transfected to express both B7 and a CD2 ligand on the surface of the transfected tumor cells and these cells are then readministered to the patient. The presence of the B7 and CD2 ligand molecules on the tumor cell surface stimulates a broad immunologic response against both the transfected and nontransfected tumor cells and results in the immunologic killing of localized and metastatic tumor cells. B7 and CD2 ligand transfected tumor cells, or cell membranes, serve as an immune enhancer to engender a potent immunologic response against the surface antigens present on the tumors cells.