Vaccination of colon cancer patients with X-irradiated autologous tumor cells and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin results in a significant reduction in tumor recurrence. A study was undertaken to determine whether the expression of tumor-associated antigens, expression of major histocompatibility complex molecules, or the cellular composition of the vaccine cells correlates with vaccine efficacy. A si...

results there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups with respect to the recurrence rate (p > 0.05). although the recurrence interval was longer for the metformin group, this increase was not statistical significant (p > 0.05). furthermore, tumor recurrence had no correlation with sex or the grade of the tumors. conclusions according to our findings, it seems that metformin has no c...

The absorption of brighteners by living cells and their transport to subsequent growth is described. Brighteners are highly fluorescent, ultraviolet-absorbing compounds which appear to be essentially nontoxic, stable biological markers. They have been effectively absorbed by growing cultures of bacteria, yeasts, actinomycetes, and higher fungi, with active growth centers evidencing the greatest...

Presentation of MHC class I-restricted peptides by dendritic cells (DCs) can elicit vigorous antigen-specific CTL responses in vivo. It is well established, however, that T cell help can augment CTL function, raising the question of how best to present tumor-associated MHC class I epitopes to induce effective tumor immunity. To this end, we have examined the role of MHC class II peptide-complex...

Amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) possess unique characteristics, which make them a suitable source for cell-based therapeutic strategies. AECs have stem cell properties with low-immunogenicity (due to expressing HLA-G molecule and absence of MHC class I and II antigens) and no ethical problems, as well as availability in sufficient numbers, which can be obtained from a placenta. We have recentl...

The expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules on the cell surface is necessary for the presentation of peptide antigens to cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes of the immune system. Down-regulation of HLA class I gene expression has been implicated in tumorigenesis, including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Loss of MHC class I antigens may be one mechanism by w...