The present invention discloses the use of active dendritic cells (DCs) releasing interleukin 12 (IL-12) which are loaded with an antigen against a specific pathogen or a specific tumor and, due to the treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-&gamma；), release IL-12, for the preparation of a medicament for treating a patient having an infection with said specific pathogen or for treating a patient having said specific tumor.
