Stimulation of killing capacity of IL-15 killer DC and NK cells by a HPV vaccine

What is it about?

Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death and is causally related with the human papillomavirus strains 16 and 18. CervarixTM, a preventive HPV vaccine is approved to be used against infections with both HPV strains. In this study, we show that the vaccine is capable in increasing the killing capacity of two specific immune cell types (IL-15 DC and NK cells), both killer cells of our immune system. Both cell types work synergistically in killing HPV-infected tumor cells.

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Why is it important?

We are the first to show that the HPV vaccine turns interleukin (IL)-15 dendritic cells (DC) into activated cells with the unique capacity to kill HPV+ tumor cells, supporting recent evidence that certain DC types have killer-like properties. In addition, killing of HPV+ tumor cells is further enhanced by the synergistic action between the HPV vaccine-stimulated IL-15 DC and autologous NK cells. Thus, this novel mode of action of HPV vaccines can fulfill a protective role in HPV immunity.