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Allogeneic GM-CSF-Secreting Breast Cancer Vaccine
Definition 1
An allogenic vaccine consisting of irradiated breast cancer cells transfected with the granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene. Upon vaccination, the genetically modified cells secrete GM-CSF, thereby potentiating a tumor-specific T cell response against breast cancer cell-asociated antigens. (NCI Thesaurus)
Definition 2
A vaccine that is being studied as a way to help the body's immune system kill breast cancer cells. To make the vaccine, the GM-CSF gene is put into breast cancer cells in the laboratory. The cells are then treated with radiation to stop them from growing and injected into the same or a different patient. The GM-CSF protein made by the changed breast cancer cells may help the immune system kill breast cancer cells in the body. (NCI Dictionary)