Basic and clinical aspects of epidermal Langerhans cell-based percutaneous tumor-associated antigen peptide immunization

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Following activation with various stimuli, epidermal Langerhans cell-mediated skin immunity augments cytotoxic T lymphocyte and Th1-cell activity, thereby playing a central role in tumor immunity. We take advantage of activated Langerhans cells as a powerful vaccine vector in the therapeutic strategy against melanoma. Topical application of melanoma-specific epitopes to stratum corneum-removed skin induces strong cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses, leading to a vaccination and therapeutic effect on tumor progression. Incorporation of Th1-dominant peptides and adjuvant will be of specific and unspecific help, and with deletion of immune suppressors should provide better clinical outcomes from this novel Langerhans cell-based immunotherapy.