Numerous trials using dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccinations for the treatment of cancer are being carried out. However, an improvement of the quality of DC used is highly warranted. We here generated human monocyte-derived dendritic cells using a 3 day protocol and stimulated the cells using a combination of OK432 (Picibanil), TLR7/8 ligand CL097, and reduced amounts of prostaglandin (PG)E2. We analyzed phenotype, migratory, and T-cell stimulatory capacity compared to a cytokine cocktail consisting of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF, and PGE2. The OK432 cocktail stimulated cells had a similar mature phenotype with upregulated co-stimulatory molecules, HLA-DR and CCR7 as the cytokine cocktail-matured cells and a similar cytokine profile except increased amounts of IL-12p70. Chemotaxis towards CCL19 was reduced compared to the cytokine cocktail, but increased compared to OK432 alone. The T-cell stimulatory capacity was similar to the cytokine cocktail stimulated cells. In conclusion, the OK432 cocktail has the advantage of inducing IL-12p70 production without impairing phenotype or T-cell stimulatory capacity of the cells and might, therefore, be an advantageous alternative to be used in DC-based immunotherapy.
Keywords: Cancer; Dendritic cells; Immunotherapy; OK432; Pro-inflammatory cytokines.