Active idiotype vaccination in multiple myeloma. GM-CSF may be an important adjuvant cytokine
Mellstedt, H.; Osterborg, A.
Pathologie-Biologie 47(2): 211-215
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0369-8114 PMID: 10192891 Document Number: 498893
The idiotypic surface bound immunoglobulin structures on the myeloma cells can be regarded as a tumor specific antigen. Naturally occurring humoral and cellular immunity against the idiotype has been demonstrated. Idiotype immunization in combination with GM-CSF induced a specific T cell response in all studied myeloma patients (n = 5). The T cell response could be characterized as a type I response (gamma-IFN production) which seemed preferentially to be MHC class I restricted. Patients with a low tumor burden might be those which most favourably respond to this kind of therapeutic intervention.