V domain of RAGE interacts with AGEs on prostate carcinoma cells.

Background: The expression of the scavenger receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and various ligands of RAGE correlate significantly with cancer progression. However, the mechanism of RAGE/sRAGE-induced cancer cell activation and ligand usage remain largely unknown.

Methods: Androgen-independent, highly invasive, as well as androgen-dependent, non-invasive human prostate carcinoma (CaP) cells were investigated for their interaction with the soluble form of RAGE (sRAGE).

Encapsulation of proteins and peptides into biodegradable poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres prolongs and enhances antigen presentation by human dendritic cells.

Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy has been hampered by the lack of suitable methods for antigen delivery. Here, we use biodegradable poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres (PLGA-MS) as carriers of peptides and proteins for antigen delivery to human monocyte-derived DC (MoDC). Compared to soluble proteins, MHC classes I and II-restricted presentation of PLGA-MS-encapsulated proteins and peptides by MoDC was markedly prolonged and proteins were presented 50-fold more efficiently on class I molecules.

Dendritic cells generated from patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer are not impaired in migration and T-cell stimulation.

Background: Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccination has been investigated as immunotherapy for several types of cancer. A potential drawback to vaccination with autologous monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) could be that MoDCs from patients are functionally impaired. In case of androgen-independent prostate cancer (CaP), the cancer itself, diverse prior therapies, and the hormone manipulation may affect the immune system.