Abstract
Accumulated evidence suggests the possibility that dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccination may be effective against advanced malignancies including oral cancer refractory to standard treatments.
To generate a DC vaccine which might be sufficient for cancer therapy, first, the DCs must be appropriately matured. We have previously reported that streptococcal immunopotentiator OK-432 is able to mature DCs, and that OK-432-treated DCs stimulate T cells to kill cancer cells specific for cancer antigens, and elicits anti-tumor effect in tumor-bearing mice. Second, antigens that might not escape from the host immune system must be used for the vaccine. Identification of such cancer antigens is now progressing.
We have investigated the anti-tumor effect of DC vaccine in oral cancer patients in both prospective and retrospective clinical trials, and have obtained results strongly suggesting that DC vaccine may be safe and effective in patients with advanced oral cancer refractory to standard treatment. We should gather evidence of the anti-tumor effects of DC vaccine in further clinical trials in order for the vaccine to become the standard therapy for malignancies including oral cancer.
