PGE1-Containing Protocols Generate Mature (Leukemia-Derived) Dendritic Cells Directly from Leukemic Whole Blood

Dendritic cells (DCs) and leukemia-derived DC (DCleu) are potent stimulators of various immunoreactive cells and they play a pivotal role in the (re-) activation of the immune system. As a potential treatment tool for patients with acute myeloid leukemia, we developed and analyzed two new PGE(1)-containing protocols (Pici-(PGE1), Kit M) to generate DC/DCleu ex vivo from leukemic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or directly from leukemic whole blood (WB) to simulate physiological conditions. Pici-(PGE1) generated significantly higher amounts of DCs from leukemic and healthy PBMCs when compared to control and comparable amounts as the already established protocol Pici-(PGE2). The proportions of sufficient DC-generation were even higher after DC/DCleu-generation with Pici-(PGE1). With Kits, it was possible to generate DCs and DCleu directly from leukemic and healthy WB without induction of blast proliferation. The average amounts of generated DCs and DCleu-subgroups were comparable with all Kits. The PGE(1) containing Kit M generated significantly higher amounts of mature DCs when compared to the PGE(2)-containing Kit K and increased the anti-leukemic-activity. In summary PGE(1)-containing protocols were suitable for generating DC/DCleu from PBMCs as well as from WB, which reliably (re-) activated immunoreactive cells, improved the overall ex vivo anti-leukemic activity, and influenced cytokine-release-profiles.