Changes in cytokine and biomarker blood levels in patients with colorectal cancer during dendritic cell-based vaccination.

Introduction. Immunotherapy based on dendritic cell vaccination has exciting perspectives for treatment of cancer. In order to clarify immunological mechanisms during vaccination it is essential with intensive monitoring of the responses. This may lead to optimization of treatment and prediction of responding patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate cytokine and biomarker responses in patients with colorectal cancer treated with a cancer vaccine based on dendritic cells pulsed with an allogeneic melanoma cell lysate. Material and methods. Plasma and serum samples were collected prior to vaccination and continuously during treatment. GM-CSF, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-8, IL-1b, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, MIP-1b, IP-10 and Eotaxin were analyzed in a multiplex assay with a Luminex 100™ instrument. CEA and TIMP-1 were analysed on ELISA platforms. Results. Patients achieving stable disease showed increasing levels of plasma GM-CSF, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-5. Patients with progressive disease showed ...