Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method of cancer immuno-therapy and to a kit for use in this method. Specifically, the present invention relates to a novel method of collecting lymphocytes from sentinel lumph nodes and in vitro culture for the multiplication thereof lymphocytes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an immunotherapeutic method for treating a patient suffering from a disseminated cancer by administering expanded tumour-reactive CD4+ helper and/or CD8+ T-lymphocytes obtainable from one or more metastasis-draining lymph nodes (metinel nodes) draining a metastasis. The method comprises identification of one or more metinel lymph nodes in a patient, resection of the one or more nodes and, optionally all or part of the metastases, isolation of metastasis-reactive T-lymphocytes from said lymph nodes, in vitro expansion of said metastasis-reactive T-lymphocytes, and administration of the thus obtained T-lymphocytes to the patient, wherein the T-lymphocytes are CD4+ helper and/or CD8+ T-lymphocytes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an immunotherapeutic method for treating patients suffering from malignant melanoma, by administering expanded tumour-reactive CD4+ helper and/or CD8+ T-lymphocytes obtainable from one or more sentinel or metinel lymph nodes draining a malignant melanoma or a metastasis arising from malignant melanoma. The present invention provides a new effective method for treating malignant melanoma and metastatic malignant melanoma, without adverse side effects associated with the known treatments.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved method for expansion and activation of tumor-reactive lymphocytes, in particular CD4+ helper and/or CD8+ T-lymphocytes, which may be used for treating and/or preventing cancer. The method provides high numbers of tumor-reactive T-lymphocytes within a short time span and the possibility of directing development of tumor-reactive CD4+ helper and/or CD8+ T-lymphocytes towards specific subpopulations. The method comprises a first phase of stimulating tumor-reactive CD4+ T helper and/or CD8+ T-lymphocytes with tumor-derived antigen together with at least one substance having agonistic activity towards the IL-2 receptor to promote survival of tumor-reactive CD4+ T helper and/or CD8+ T-lymphocytes; and a second phase of activating and promoting growth of tumor-reactive CD4+ T helper and/or CD8+ T-lymphocytes, wherein the second phase is initiated when the CD25 cell surface marker (or IL-2R marker) is down-regulated on CD4+ T helper and/or CD8+ T-lymphocytes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an immunotherapeutic method for treating a patient suffering from urinary bladder cancer by administering expanded tumour-reactive CD4+ helper and/or CD8+ T-lymphocytes obtainable from one or more sentinel or metinel lymph nodes draining a tumour in the bladder or a metastasis arising from a tumour in the bladder. The method provides a new effective method for treating urinary bladder cancer and metastatic bladder cancer, without adverse side effects associated with the known treatments.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an immunotherapeutic method for treating patients suffering from colon cancer, by administering expanded tumour-reactive CD4+ helper and/or CD8+ T-lymphocytes obtainable from one or more sentinel or metinel lymph nodes draining a tumour in the colon or a metastasis arising from a tumour in the colon. The present invention provides a new effective method for treating colon cancer and metastatic colon cancer, without adverse side effects associated with the known treatments.