DC-based immunotherapy of B-cell malignancies.

B-cell malignancies are a group of diseases for which vaccination protocols have been thoroughly studied over the last few years. All different vaccination protocols share the goal of inducing or augmenting tumor-specific immune responses in the tumor-bearing host, in order to potentially achieve therapeutic benefit in these otherwise ultimately fatal diseases. Attention has been drawn to the use of DC-based immunotherapy protocols relying on the unique properties of these powerful APCs. This review focuses on DC-based immunotherapy experience gained so far in B-cell malignancies, and discusses published and on-going clinical trials in follicular NHL and multiple myeloma, and preclinical results in CLL and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. This will form the basis for a discussion of perspectives of DC vaccination in this group of human malignancies.