Dendritic cell vaccines for brain tumors.

Abstract

Over the past decade, dendritic cell-based immunotherapy for central nervous system tumors has progressed from preclinical rodent models and safety assessments to phase I/II clinical trials in over 200 patients, which have produced measurable immunologic responses and some prolonged survival rates. Many questions regarding the methods and molecular mechanisms behind this new treatment option, however, remain unanswered. Results from currently ongoing and future studies will help to elucidate which dendritic cell preparations, treatment protocols, and adjuvant therapeutic regimens will optimize the efficacy of dendritic cell vaccination. As clinical studies continue to report results on dendritic cell-mediated immunotherapy, it will be critical to continue refining treatment methods and developing new ways to augment this promising form of glioma treatment.

• Authors: Won Kim, Linda M Liau
• Journal: Neurosurgery clinics of North America (Neurosurg Clin N Am) Vol. 21 Issue 1 Pg. 139-57 (Jan 2010) ISSN: 1558-1349 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19944973 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Cancer Vaccines

Topics

• Animals
• Brain Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Cancer Vaccines (therapeutic use)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Disease Models, Animal
• Humans
• Immunotherapy (methods)