Mycobacterium infection on the function of dendritic cells from patients with cervical cancer

Abstract

It is now evident that the presentation of tumor antigens by dendritic cells to effector lymphocytes is an important factor for the development of anti tumor immune response In an earlier study at the mentors lab DC based vaccine for melanoma cancer was shown to induce immunity Interestingly the use of immuno modulators Flt 3 ligand IL 2 B71 and dendritic cells in the immunotherapy was shown to induce a better antitumor response against colon cancer in an animal model Currently the mentor s lab is engaged in studying antitumor immunity in the patients with cervical cancer and tries to understand the role of mycobacterial infection in the regulation of tumor specific cellular immune response India is accounted for a high incidence rate of cervical cancer with advanced stage of the disease In addition the incidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is also higher among Indian population It is not known whether there is a relationship between mycobacterial infection and the occurrence of advanced CaCx stages in patients with CaCx newline