Esophageal Tumor-draining Lymph Node: In Vitro Cell Culture And In Vivo Tumor-inhibition Effect

Objective: Tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLN) exist in tumor drainage region and are constantly exposured to the stimulation by cancerous antigen. They are not only the natural barrier to early tumor spreading, but also the relay station for distant metastasis. TDLN contains abundant lymphocytes. Because of its unique location and lots of uptaken tumor-derived antigen dendritic cells (DC), they are easily obtained potential lymphocytes with strong anti-tumor capacity. DC is the most powerful dedicated antigen presenting cell (APC). After capturing tumor antigen, DC migrates to TDLN where it becomes matured and starts presenting antigen, then induces T cell differentiation, maturation and to kill tumor cells. However, in human body, DC can not efficiently present antigen since it is usually suppressed by inhibition factors like IL-10. The aims of this study are: 1) to obtain abundant specific tumor-killing cells by in vitro culture of TDLN in order to reduce the effects of inhibitor on DC and improve the DC antigen presenting efficiency; 2) to study the in vivo tumor inhibition effects of TDLN lymphocytes on tumor-baring mice.Methods: Two to three lymph nodes without visually metastasis from esophageal tumor drainage region were...