Application of functionalyzed carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles for preparation of dendritic cells for tumor therapy

Vaccines based on autologous dendritic cells (DCs), represent the most important mode of active tumor immunotherapy. In spite of significant improvement in this field, the most optimal protocols for generation of DCs from their precursors in vitro which are strong stimulators of antitumor immune response and resistant to tolerogenic influences of tumor have not been established yet. Therefore, the aim of this project is to improve antigen-presenting and immunogenic properties and therapeutic efficacy of DCs, by using new nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes and nanogold particles) as carriers of tumor antigens and biologic stimulators. The study will be conducted on inflammatory type and Langerhans type of DCs, which have not been much used for treatment of colorectal carcinoma and melanoma, respectively. Through complex immunobiological investigations of differentiation, maturation and function of DCs in vitro, activated by nanocomplexes, identification of mechanisms by which tumor inhibits DC functions and ways to overcome these processes, it is expected to establish the most optimal protocol for preparation of autologous immunogenic DC vaccines. The optimized aphaeresis methods for preparation of DC precursors from blood of tumor patients and methods for cryopreservation of DC vaccines will make this specific immunotherapy possible to be more efficient and applicable for the first time in our country.