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Dendritic cells (DCs) are major antigen-presenting cells. They are capable of capturing and processing tumor antigens, expressing lymphocyte costimulatory molecules, and secreting cytokines to initiate immune responses. Here, the authors tested the effect of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, a population that includes CD3+ CD56+ cells (natural killer T cells), with regard to their capacity to immunomodulate DCs. Cytokine-induced killer cells were cocultured with autologous DCs generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Expression of markers typical for both populations was measured using flow cytometry, and secretion of interleukin (IL)-12 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Cytotoxicity assays were performed to investigate the role of IL-12 and the importance of cell–cell interactions. Considering this, receptors for IL-12 and CD40 were blocked and cocultures were …