A number of Network participants have already conducted clinical trials that have provided the initial “proof of principle” for DC-based immunotherapy of cancer, particularly for advanced melanoma. These and other partners are also conducting, or are planning, further clinical trials of this approach for therapy of a variety of other cancers. The technologies required for culturing DC and for loading the cells with tumour antigens in different forms will be progressively standardised and ultimately shared between all those involved as a central resource. They will also be made available to other partners who are using related approaches in clinical trials for DC-based immunotherapy of HIV and AIDS. These research areas comprise the core of Cluster 4, which also includes monitoring of patient responses (linking to Clusters 1 and 2) and regulatory aspects (contributing ultimately to European policy in the area). The Therapeutics Platform will be lead by Schuler at the University of Erlangen (P6, DE)