B Cell-Based Cancer Immunotherapy

• Published in: Transfusion medicine and hemotherapy Vol. 46; no. 1; pp. 36 - 46
• Main Authors: Wennhold, Kerstin, Shimabukuro-Vornhagen, Alexander, von Bergwelt-Baildon, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.02.2019
• Subjects: Review; Review Article; Antigen presentation; B-cell therapy; Cellular therapy
• ISSN: 1660-3796; 1660-3818
• DOI: 10.1159/000496166

B cells are not only producers of antibodies, but also contribute to immune regulation or act as potent antigen-presenting cells. The potential of B cells for cellular therapy is still largely underestimated, despite their multiple diverse effector functions. The CD40L/CD40 signaling pathway is the most potent activator of antigen presentation capacity in B lymphocytes. CD40-activated B cells are potent antigen-presenting cells that induce specific T-cell responses in vitro and in vivo. In preclinical cancer models in mice and dogs, CD40-activated B cell-based cancer immunotherapy was able to induce effective antitumor immunity. So far, there have been only few early-stage clinical studies involving B cell-based cancer vaccines. These trials indicate that B cell-based immunotherapy is generally safe and associated with little toxicity. Furthermore, these studies suggest that B-cell immunotherapy can elicit antitumor T-cell responses. Alongside the recent advances in cellular therapies in general, major obstacles for generation of good manufacturing practice-manufactured B-cell immunotherapies have been overcome. Thus, a first clinical trial involving CD40-activated B cells might be in reach.