The preparation of myeloma-specific T cells activated with dendritic cells loaded with nonapeptides derived from mucin protein MUC1 and catalytic subunit of telomerase hTERT.

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma is an incurable hematological disease. High-dose chemotherapy including autologous stem cell transplantation is recently considered a standard therapy for myeloma. Unfortunately, a relapse of the disease is inevitable. Therefore, new approaches such as immunotherapy have been considered recently. A specific activation of cytotoxic T cells can be reached using dendritic cells loaded with tumor-specific antigens. The HLA-A2-specific nonapeptides as hTERT derived from catalytic subunit of telomerase and MUC1 derived from mucin protein can be used. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Activation, identification, separation and expansion of myeloma-specific T cells from healthy HLA-A2 blood donors were tested in an in vitro study using hTERT and MUC1 nonapeptides as tumor-specific antigens. METHODS AND RESULTS: T cells and dendritic cells were obtained from peripheral blood. T cells were repeatedly stimulated with hTERT and MUC1 nonapeptide-loaded dendritic cells. Activated myeloma-specific T cells produced interferon gamma and were evaluated by flow cytometry. The activated T cells were immunomagnetically separated and in vitro expanded to the number usable in clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates feasibility of a specific activation, identification, separation and expansion of tumor-specific T cells that can be used in myeloma therapy.