Enhanced anti-cancer activity of human dendritic cells sensitized with gamma-irradiation-induced apoptotic colon cancer cells

► Gamma-irradiation-induced apoptotic cancer cell-line HT-29 (GIH) induced maturation and activation of dendritic cells (DCs). ► GIH-sensitized DCs showed an enhanced cytotoxic activity against live HT-29. ► GIH-sensitized DCs activated autologous T cells to express cytokines, cytotoxic molecules, and mucosal-homing receptors. ► DCs sensitized with gamma-irradiated cancer cells could be an effective anti-cancer therapeutic.