Generation of a human leukocyte antigen-A24-restricted antitumor cell with the use of SART-1 peptide and dendritic cells in patients with malignant brain tumors.

Dendritic cells (DCs) can be the principal initiators of antigen-specific immune responses. In this study, we attempted to generate cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) using DCs pulsed with SART-1(254) peptide. Peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tumor-infiltrating mononuclear cells (TIMCs) were obtained from 11 patients with brain tumors expressing human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A24. After stimulation with SART-1(254) peptide, CTLs showing over 15% were observed in one of 4 patients with gliomas and in 4 of 7 patients with metastatic brain tumors. Furthermore, exposure to DCs pulsed with SART-1(254) peptide increased the killing activity of these CTLs by 28.7% and 37.5%, respectively. We conclude that DCs pulsed with SART-1(254) peptide are effective in generating HLA-A24-restricted antitumor cells.