Transloading of tumor cells with foreign major histocompatibility complex class I peptide ligand: a novel general strategy for the generation of potent cancer vaccines.

The major hurdle to be cleared in active immunotherapy of cancer is the poor immunogenicity of cancer cells. In previous attempts to overcome this problem, whole tumor cells have been used as vaccines, either admixed with adjuvant(s) or genetically engineered to express nonself proteins or immunomodulatory factors before application. We have developed a novel approach to generate an immunogeneic, highly effective vaccine: major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-positive cancer cells are administered together with MHC class I-matched peptide ligands of foreign, nonself origin, generated by a procedure we term transloading. Murine tumor lines of the H2-Kd or the H2-Db haplotype, melanoma M-3 and B16-F10, respectively, as well as colon carcinoma CT-26 (H2-Kd), were transloaded with MHC-matched influenza virus-derived peptides and applied as irradiated vaccines. Mice bearing a deposit of live M-3 melanoma cells were efficiently cured by this treatment. In the CT-26 colon carcinoma and the B16-F10 melanoma, high efficacies were obtained against tumor challenge, suggesting the universal applicability of this new type of vaccine. With foreign peptide ligands adapted to the requirements of a desired MHC class I haplotype, this concept may be used for the treatment of human cancers.

Propuestas transversales para la docencia en teoría y práctica de la Literatura Comparada (española / catalana)

Elaboración de prácticas presenciales i no presenciales en la asignatura de Teoría y Práctica de la Literatura Comparada, que se imparte en el Grado de Humanidades (códs. 29033 y 29034), tanto en español como en catalán, a partir de su proximidad literaria con otros ámbitos fronterizos, como pueden ser disciplinas artísticas y discursivas conexas. Antropología, historia, historia del arte, pensamiento o sociología serán claves en el desarrollo de esas actividades. Las temáticas a desarrollar corresponden a temas, tópicos y mitos literarios en diferentes literaturas: nacionalismo literario, canon, traducción, literaturas minoritarias y su relación con las artes. La intención es generar un amplio muestrario didáctico con el que desarrollar la asignatura para una tipología de alumnado con capacidad de conectar los más diferentes saberes humanísticos.