Due to their ability to cross-present antigens associated with tumor cells to naive T cells, DCS play an important role in generating specific T-cell-mediated antitumor effector responses in controlling tumor growth and tumor cell dissemination. Clinical trials in this area have demonstrated the possibility of immunotherapy based on dendritic cells. In the current study, we give a brief overview of the biology of DC, describe the sources of obtaining tumor-associated antigen, and also consider the current status of the field of application of DC as anti-cancer vaccines.

Peripheral blood mononuclears were used in the work, as well as lung tumor cells, from which tumor lysate was obtained. Tumor lysate was obtained by freezing and thawing a cell suspension by placing an ampoule with cells in liquid nitrogen or warm water, respectively. Dendritic cells were obtained by culturing human peripheral blood monocytes. The key cytokines used in the cultivation of DC from monocytes are GM-CSF and interleukin-4 (IL-4). DC was loaded with antigens after replacing the culture medium with the addition of tumor lysate to the cells and incubation for 2 hours. The main way to assess the quality of the vaccine created on the basis of DC was the method of flow cytofluorimetry. The main characteristics by which DC is evaluated are the immunophenotype and the percentage of living cells.

The proven method of obtaining dendritic cells loaded with tumor lysate makes it possible to apply this approach more widely in oncological practice. The use of an antitumor vaccine based on autologous dendritic cells for the prevention of relapses may become a new way of adjuvant treatment.