Cell therapy against cancer

Because of the recent advances in immunology, the development of cell processing techniques, and the discovery of tumor-associated antigens, etc., many clinical trials on cell therapy using specific tumor-associated molecules against cancer are now being conducted throughout the world. In particular, dendritic cells, the most potent antigen-presenting cells in the immune system, are being vigorously investigated. On the other hand, lines of evidence have revealed that allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can also serve as a potent immunotherapy. In order to establish the status of cell therapy as the 4^th treatment against cancer, the infrastructure for this treatment should be reviewed, on the basis of which well-defined clinical trials should be performed, and the evidence of clinical efficacy accumulated.