This is mRNA encoding CD40L, CD70, caTLR4 and one tumorantigen (gp100, Tyrosinase, Mage-C2 or Mage-A3). It was used to electroporate autologous dendritic cells in order to produce a vaccine for advanced melanoma patients.

The vaccine for ovarian carcinoma is composed by autologous DCs pulsed with apoptotic autologous ovarian carcinoma cells. Apoptosis is induced by UV.

The vaccine is composed by autologous DCs pulsed with apoptotic allogenic prostate carcinoma cell line LNCap. It is used for vaccination of patients with advanced prostate carcinoma.

For transient transfection of synthetic siRNA, commercially available siRNA Smart Pool from Dharmacon targeted against the STAT3 transcription factor have been successfully transfected in human MDDCs (Lipofectamine 2000 as transfection reagent). The efficiency of silencing, as detected by western blot or FACS analysis of the protein was of 50-80% (depending on the donor), and peaked at 72 h post-transfection. Transfection efficiency was reproducibly higher than 80% and did not induce any type I IFN production.

We have worked to strengthen vaccine developments with an improved humanized mouse model. We focus on recombinant vaccines against HIV driven by a powerful poxvirus vaccine system termed MVA BN. To improve our understanding MVA BN has been analyzed thoroughly on the nucleotide level, safety in cell cultures, immune deficient mice as well as in healthy, HIV–infected and other immune deficient humans.

CyP was extracted from the freshwater cyanobacterium Oscillatoria Planktothrix FP1. We found that CyP acts as a potent and selective antagonist of bacterial LPS.

This vaccine is composed of DC pulsed with 2 to 3 MAA-derived peptides (combinations of MAGE-3.A2, MAGE-C2.A2 or Na17.A2). It was tested in a trial in small cohorts of patients (3-9) who were vaccinated with differently composed DC-vaccines.

Tetanus toxide epitope embedded into a L-SIGN/DC-SIGN-cross-reactive Ab was targeted to dendritic cells. We believe that the isolated Abs may be useful for selective delivery of Ags to DC-SIGN- or L-SIGN-bearing APCs for the modulation of immune responses and for blocking viral infections.

Fabs that bind strongly to L-SIGN, but to a lesser degree or not at all to dendritic cell-specific ICAM-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) were isolated and characterized. We believe that the isolated Abs may be useful for selective delivery of Ags to DC-SIGN- or L-SIGN-bearing APCs for the modulation of immune responses and for blocking viral infections.

This vaccine consists of G4-DC loaded with 8 different peptides. It was tested in a trial in small cohorts of patients (3-9) who were vaccinated with differently composed DC-vaccines.

This vaccine consists of DC loaded with a single MAA-derived peptide (MAGE-3.A1 or -A2 or Na17.A2). It was tested in a trial in small cohorts of patients (3-9) who were vaccinated with differently composed DC-vaccines.

Autologous dendritic cells are loaded with apoptotic leukemic cells from patients with B-CLL to be used as vaccine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Preliminary data from a clinical study indicate reduction of circulating tumor cells. No adverse effects have been observed.

Three patients were enrolled in a clinical trial and DC vaccine was produced. The DC vaccine was administered into irradiated tumours in RCC of one patient only due to cancer progression in the other two patients. The patient treated is in complete remission 6 months after treatment.

HLA-DP4/MAGE3 molecules have been prepared to stain ex vivo PBL from immunized melanoma patients for a study of anti-tumor responses in melanoma patients that were vaccinated with autologous DCs loaded with a combination of tumor Ag peptides.

Soluble recombinant HLADR1101 MHC class II molecules receptive for loading with either pathogen or tumor-derived peptides were constructed for a study of CD4+ T cell responses against pathogens or tumors in humans.

These dendritic cells were generated from adherent peripheral blood monocytes, subject to quality controls, and subsequently used for intradermal administration in HLA-A1 and HLA-A2 positive patients with stage III/IV melanoma (V administrations with eventual additional ones depending on clinical outcome).

The peptides are used in the generation of monocyte-derived DC (pulsing of the cells at a concentration of 5 µg/mL in approximately 5 mL and at a cell density of 20 x 10e6/mL for 1 h.).

This vaccine was used for RCC patients who were deficient in T cell IFN-gamma and IL-2 production pre-vaccination.

Commercially available siRNA Smart Pool from Dharmacon targeted against the STAT3 transcription factor have been successfully transfected in human MDDCs.

Patients with resected HPV16-positive cervical cancer were vaccinated with an overlapping set of long peptides comprising the sequences of the HPV16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins emulsified in Montanide ISA-51.