In the paper the current state-of-the-art of the preclinical and clinical trials concerning GM- CSF-secreting tumor cell vaccines was presented. Cytokine gene-modified cancer vaccines are experimental immunotherapeutics applied as adjuvants or as main medications in the treatment of metastatic neoplasms. The principle of their action consists in the delivery of cancer antigens in association with GM-CSF to the patient's organism. The cytokine improves recruitment and activation of dendritic cells, leading to more efficient antigens' presentation.

During the last two decades treatment based on selective stimulation of immune system has became a promising anti-neoplastic strategy, testing in several clinical centers all over the world. Vac- cination with dendritic cells previously exposed to tumor antigens seems to be one of the most attrac- tive approaches of immunotherapy. Dendritic cell-based vaccines were tested in many early phase clinical trials in patients with solid tumors, including malignant melanoma.

During the last two decades treatment based on selective stimulation of immune system has became a promising anti-neoplastic strategy, testing in several clinical centers all over the world. Vac- cination with dendritic cells previously exposed to tumor antigens seems to be one of the most attrac- tive approaches of immunotherapy. Dendritic cell-based vaccines were tested in many early phase clinical trials in patients with solid tumors, including malignant melanoma.

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial tumour of childhood. Despite of the applica- tion of intensive treatment regiments, the majority of high-risk patients are eventually relapsing. This stresses the need for new therapeutical approaches to eradicate residual tumour cells, which might impro- ve the survival of the high-risk group neuroblastoma patients. Immunotherapy of neuroblastoma is one of the currently developed strategies. In this publication recent data on application of immunotherapy in neuroblastoma treatment have been reviewed.

The early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer recurrence are the major priorities in future oncology. An increasing number of cases are surgically cured as a result of early diagnosis and novel approaches to chemo and radiotherapy. However, a significant percentage of these patients will develop recurrent and/or metastatic disease. The prognosis for patients with metastatic breast, lung and colorectal cancers at diagnosis or as a cancer recurrence are poor.

Dendritic cells are professional antigen-presenting cells. They are found in the skin, blood, lymph nodes and other organs. Two their subpopulations are present in an organism myeloblastic and lymphoblastic, and this is the only example that we know. Dendritic cells play a key role in immunological response. The clinical and experimental studies suggest their use in tumor treatment, viral infections and autoimmunological disorders. In this review the biology of dendritic cells, their physiology, in vitro culturing methods and clinical use is described.