Effect of dendritic cell vaccine therapy on lymphocyte subpopulation in refractory primary brain tumor.

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cell (DC)‑based immunotherapy has the potential to induce an antitumor response within the immunologically privileged brain. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short‑term effect of DC vaccine therapy on lymphocyte subsets in patients with refractory primary brain tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen cases with refractory primary brain tumor who refused any treatment against tumor within 6 months of the therapy, were referred to one medicine center, from January 2011 to October 2012. All patients received 1 × 107 tumor lysate–pulsed DC vaccinations both intradermal injection and intravenous infusion 3 times/week. RESULTS: There were increases of lymphocytes CD8+ (P = 0.002) and CD56+ (P = 4.207E‑10), but no change of lymphocytes CD3+ (P = 0.651). Six patients were positive response of delayed‑type hypersensitivity. There were improving of appetite in 14 cases and increasing of physical strength 17 cases. CONCLUSIONS: DC vaccine has the potential for inducing an immune cytotoxic effect directed toward tumor cells.