Duke University

David J Boczkowski

Smita K Nair

Eli Gilboa

Disclosed are cells and methods for treating or preventing tumor formation or infections with pathogens in a patient. The cells of the invention are antigen-presenting cells (e.g., dendritic cells or macrophage) that have been loaded with RNA derived from tumors or pathogens. By administering the RNA-loaded antigen-presenting cells to a patient, tumor formation or pathogen infections can be treated or prevented. Alternatively, the RNA-loaded cells can be used as stimulator cells in the ex vivo expansion of CTL. Such CTL can then be used in a variation of conventional adoptive immunotherapy techniques.

Methods for treating cancers and pathogen infections using antigen-presenting cells loaded with RNA

The present invention relates to cells and methods for treating or preventing tumor formation or infections with pathogens in a patient. The cells of the invention are antigen-presenting cells (e.g., dendritic cells or macrophage) that have been loaded with RNA derived from tumors or pathogens. By administering the RNA-loaded antigen-presenting cells to a patient, tumor formation or pathogen infections can be treated or prevented. Alternatively, the RNA-loaded cells can be used as stimulator cells in the ex vivo expansion of CTL. Such CTL can then be used in a variation of conventional adoptive immunotherapy techniques.

The present invention relates, in general, to RNA-loaded antigen presenting cells and, in particular, to methods for treating or preventing tumor formation or pathogen infection in a patient. The invention further relates to methods of monitoring T-cell stimulation and to methods of antigen discovery.

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Durham, NC, United States of America

David J Boczkowski