ICAM2 is related to good prognosis in dendritic cell immunotherapy for cancer.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the behavior of adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 in dendritic cell (DC) immunotherapy. Materials & methods: 88 female Balb/c mice were divided into experimental groups. Tumors and lymph nodes were evaluated 7 and 14 days after immunotherapy. Results: Higher mean fluorescence intensity of ICAM-1 in the lymph nodes and tumors in the tumor group at 14 days was observed. Higher mean fluorescence intensity of ICAM-2 in the tumor DC vaccine group was observed after 14 days. A positive correlation was observed in the lymph nodes with ICAM-1 against tumoral volume in the tumor group. A negative correlation was found between ICAM-2 and tumoral volume in the lymph nodes of the tumor group. Conclusion: An increase in ICAM-2 in tumor DC vaccine and a decrease in ICAM-1 suggests the DC vaccine positively influences the immune system and that ICAM-2 could be a marker of good prognosis.

Dendritic cell vaccines are a type of immunotherapy that can reduce tumor volume and increase the expression of immune proteins that fight cancer. However, some improvements are needed to better analyze tumor development and cell characteristics in patients given these vaccines. This research was designed to clearly describe what happens to the body's natural defense during treatment with dendritic cell vaccines. Animals were induced to develop breast cancer and parts of their immune system were analyzed after receiving a dendritic cell vaccine. A specific molecule, called ICAM-2, which is involved in the immune response, was linked to a reduction in tumor volume. The authors conclude that ICAM-2 might be a marker of good prognosis in patients receiving a dendritic cell vaccine.