Vaccination with immuno-isolated cells producing an immunomodulator

1. A method of treating cancer in a patient comprising administering an effective amount of:

a) an autologous source of tumor antigens prepared according to a method comprising

i) obtaining a solid tissue sample comprising autologous tumor cells;

ii) digesting the solid tissue sample using an enzyme;

iii) further mechanically digesting the solid tissue sample;

iv) inactivating the enzyme; and

v) isolating single tumor cells from the solid tissue sample to obtain a cell-suspension comprising an autologous source of tumor antigens; and

b) at least one retrievable biocompatible macrocapsule comprising between about 5×10 5 and about 1×10 6 immuno-isolated allogeneic cells that secrete at least 20 ng/24 hour of GM-CSF, wherein the at least one biocompatible macrocapsule comprises:

i) a core comprising allogeneic cells and an internal coil wherein the distance between spires on the internal coil is about 1 mm±0.1 mm, wherein the allogeneic cells are distributed on the internal coil; and

ii) a semipermeable membrane surrounding the core that permits diffusion of GM-CSF there through.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one biocompatible macrocapsule and the autologous source of tumor antigens are implanted and the at least one biocompatible macrocapsule is subsequently removed.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one biocompatible macrocapsule and the autologous source of tumor antigens are administered sequentially under the skin in close proximity or contact.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one biocompatible macrocapsule is implanted prior to the autologous source of tumor antigens.

5. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one biocompatible macrocapsule is implanted for less than 12 days.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one biocompatible macrocapsule is implanted for between 4 and 10 days.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one biocompatible macrocapsule is implanted for between 5 and 7 days.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the administration comprises multiple injections.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the multiple injections occur at regular intervals.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein, when treatment comprises cancer therapy or vaccination, the regular intervals comprise weekly injections for four weeks followed by two additional immunizations every two weeks.

11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the multiple injections are subcutaneous injections.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the said at least one biocompatible macrocapsule has a cylindrical shape and is about 5 to 25 mm, in particular 12 mm in length.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the said at least one biocompatible macrocapsule comprises about 8×10 5 immuno-isolated allogeneic cells.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the said at least one biocompatible capsule comprises one or more of the following: i) a retrieval tube; ii) a retrieval hook secured to the retrieval tube, wherein the retrieval hook facilitates retrieval of the at least one biocompatible macrocapsule after implantation; iii) a connector, wherein the connector secures the membrane of the at least one biocompatible macrocapsule to the retrieval tube; iv) a loading hub, wherein the loading hub facilitates the loading of the cells; and/or v) a transport tube, wherein the transport tube has a tube body and a tube cap.