Large-scale production and characterization of novel CD4+ cytotoxic T cells with broad tumor specificity for immunotherapy.

Immune-cell-based approaches using cytotoxic and dendritic cells are under constant scrutiny to design novel therapies for the treatment of tumors. These strategies are hampered by the lack of efficient and economical large-scale production methods for effector cells. Here we describe the propagation of large amounts of a unique population of CD4(+) cytotoxic T cells, which we termed tumor killer T cells (TKTC), because of their potent and broad antitumor cell activity.

Tumor-associated gene expression in disseminated tumor cells correlates with disease progression and tumor stage in colorectal cancer.

Background: A possible correlation of disease progression and tumor stage in colorectal cancer patients with tumor-associated gene expression in disseminated tumor cells (DTC) was evaluated. Detection of DTC and expression of tumor-associated genes might be of clinical value with respect to individual patient prognosis, monitoring of therapy and as a surrogate tumor staging parameter.

Patients And Methods: In a multicenter study, a total of 196 peripheral blood samples were collected from 76 patients with tumor stage Dukes' A to D and analyzed using a DTC detection assay consisting of immunomagnetic selection and expression analysis of the tumor-associated genes CEA, EGFR and GA733-2.

The clinical significance of circulating tumour cells in breast cancer and colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Circulating tumour cells (CTC) in the blood of cancer patients indicate disease progression. Their presence reflects a relapse or metastasising process since CTC survive only a short time in the circulation.

Materials And Methods: Test systems developed by AdnaGen have been used for the sensitive and specific analysis of CTC.

Combination of immunomagnetic enrichment with multiplex RT-PCR analysis for the detection of disseminated tumor cells.

Background: A highly specific and sensitive tumor cell detection assay is reported, which combines immunomagnetic enrichment with multiplex RT-PCR analysis.

Materials And Methods: The effect on the recovery rate of breast, testicular and colorectal cancer cells using single antibodies and combinations of them for IMS was examined by fluorescence microscopy and multiplex RT-PCR. The clinical utility of a tumor cell detection assay using IMS with multiplex RT-PCR was tested by examination of colorectal cancer blood samples and by comparing the results with CEA serum protein levels.