Final Report Summary - DC-VACC (Dendritic cells as natural adjuvants for novel vaccine technologies)
The immune system of vertebrate animals evolved to respond to different types of perturbations, such as pathogens, whilst limiting self-tissue damage. Initiation of the immune response is accomplished by unique antigen presenting cells called Dendritic cells (DC), highly phagocytic sentinels of the immune system, resting until they encounter foreign microorganisms or inflammatory stimuli. Early activated DC trigger innate immune responses that represent the first line of defence against pathogens and provide effective anti-tumour immunity.
Activated DC then prime antigen-specific immune responses (T and B lymphocytes) to clear the infections and give rise to immunological memory. Activation of NK cells is also key during anti-pathogen response and a direct involvement of NK cells has been shown in anti-tumour responses in different systems and unequivocally observed in patients with cancer. The aim of DC-VACC STREP was to develop novel vaccine technologies and to use DC as natural adjuvants with specificity and minimum side effects. Early clinical trials have shown that antigen-pulsed DC have potential in the treatment of cancer also applicable in the eradication of infectious diseases.
The studies from the STREP DC-VACC have resulted in the discovery of new adjuvant approaches. There has been great productivity with respect to the development of microbial vectors, ant the ability to deliver antigen and target DC, as well as approaches, including the discovery of new pathways to target for enhancing anti-tumour therapy and also in therapeutic intervention and for vaccination in infectious diseases. The knowledge from this project has been widely disseminated by publication and international immunology conferences.
Throughout the DC-VACC period meetings were held (together with an NoE, DC-THERA) at various sites to exchange scientific knowledge and via the website created by partner 2 / Biopolo (please see http://www.biopolo.it/ online).
Activated DC then prime antigen-specific immune responses (T and B lymphocytes) to clear the infections and give rise to immunological memory. Activation of NK cells is also key during anti-pathogen response and a direct involvement of NK cells has been shown in anti-tumour responses in different systems and unequivocally observed in patients with cancer. The aim of DC-VACC STREP was to develop novel vaccine technologies and to use DC as natural adjuvants with specificity and minimum side effects. Early clinical trials have shown that antigen-pulsed DC have potential in the treatment of cancer also applicable in the eradication of infectious diseases.
The studies from the STREP DC-VACC have resulted in the discovery of new adjuvant approaches. There has been great productivity with respect to the development of microbial vectors, ant the ability to deliver antigen and target DC, as well as approaches, including the discovery of new pathways to target for enhancing anti-tumour therapy and also in therapeutic intervention and for vaccination in infectious diseases. The knowledge from this project has been widely disseminated by publication and international immunology conferences.
Throughout the DC-VACC period meetings were held (together with an NoE, DC-THERA) at various sites to exchange scientific knowledge and via the website created by partner 2 / Biopolo (please see http://www.biopolo.it/ online).