NCIt definition : A preparation of autologous cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL), specifically reactive to
the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) mucin-1 (MUC1), with potential antineoplastic activity.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are collected from the patient with MUC1-positive
tumors and are exposed ex vivo to dendritic cells (DCs) that are pulsed with a MUC1
peptide to generate MUC1-specific CTLs, which are subsequently expanded in vitro.
Upon re-infusion of autologous CTLs induced with MUC1 peptide-pulsed DCs to the patient,
the CTLs target and lyse the MUC1-expressing tumor cells. This inhibits tumor cell
proliferation. MUC1 is expressed by a variety of tumor cell types.;