A single low dose of dendritic cells modified with lentivirus containing a truncated neu gene can effectively suppress neu‐overexpressing tumors

Background Several types of viral‐transduced HER2/neu‐modified dendritic cells (DC HER2/neu ) have been used for preventing and/or treating HER2/neu‐overexpressing tumors. However, to date, lentivirus has not been used to generate HER2/neu‐modified DCs. Methods In the present study, we used recombinant lentivirus containing a truncated neu gene (rLVneu) to transduce murine bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells and investigated their preventive and therapeutic effects on HER2/neu‐overexpressing tumors. Results The data obtained show that a single low dose of lentiviral‐transduced DC HER2/neu could significantly elevate serum anti‐neu antibody level, stimulate the proliferation of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes and interferon‐γ secretion, induce a long lasting preventive effect against HER2/neu‐overexpressing tumors and significantly suppress the growth of established HER2/neu‐overexpressing tumors. Conclusions The present study demonstrates that a single low dose of DCs modified with rLV containing a truncated neu oncogene can achieve a strong and long lasting effect on neu‐overexpressing tumors, suggesting the possible clinical application of this strategy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.