Cancer immunotherapy using tumor cells combined with mixed lymphocytes

Abstract

This invention comprises cellular vaccines and methods of using them in cancer immunotherapy, particularly in humans. The vaccines comprise stimulated lymphocytes allogeneic to the subject being treated, along with a source of tumor-associated antigen. The allogeneic lymphocytes can be stimulated by combining or coculturing them with leukocytes obtained from the subject to be treated or from another third-party donor. Tumor antigen may be provided in the form of primary tumor cells, tumor cell lines or tumor extracts prepared from the subject. Stimulated allogeneic lymphocytes and tumor antigen are combined and administered at a site distant from the primary tumor, in order to prime or boost a systemic cellular anti-tumor immune response. This approach overcomes the natural refractory nature of the immune system to stimulation by tumor antigens, generating a host response and potentially improving the clinical outcome.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.