Abstract: A method to prevent or treat cancer in a patient comprising: administering a first set of tumor cells; where at least some of the first tumor cells have at least one tumor antigen corresponding to antigen of the patient's tumor cells; where the tumor cells are contained in an implantable chamber; the chamber defined by a wall including a porous boundary between the patient's immune cells and the contained cells and pervious to subcellular antigenic material; where the boundary prevents contact between patient immune cells and the contained tumor cells, and where the boundary permits subcellular antigenic materials to exit the chamber; and rendering a second set of tumor cells nontumorigenic; where at least some of the second tumor cells have at least one tumor antigen corresponding to antigen of the patient's tumor cells; administering the second tumor cells to the patient without containing them in a chamber.

Abstract: An implant assembly and methods for loading implant devices which avoids the accidental deposition of transplanted material or other contaminates on the exterior of the device during transportation, storage, and handling are disclosed. The implant assembly of the invention may be used with a large variety of implant devices for implanting a variety of materials such as cells, tissue or other materials into a host. The implant assembly includes an implant device having an elongated port and a first chamber for holding material for implantation and a container with a second chamber for holding the implant device. The container functions to maintain the sterility and protect the physical integrity of the implant device during loading, storage, cryopreservation and transportation and is removed immediately prior to implantation of the device. The container may optionally include liquid media for cellular growth, maintenance, cryostorage, or transportation purposes.