Medulloblastoma (MB), a primary
tumor of the central nervous system, is among the most prevalent pediatric
neoplasms. The median age of diagnosis is six. Conventional
therapies include surgical resection of the
tumor with subsequent radiation and
chemotherapy. However, these
therapies often cause severe brain damage, and still, approximately 75% of pediatric patients relapse within a few years. Because the conventional
therapies cause such severe damage, especially in the pediatric developing brain, there is an urgent need for better treatment strategies such as
immunotherapy, which over the years has gained accumulating interest.
Cancer immunotherapy aims to enhance the body's own immune response to
tumors and is already widely used in the clinic, e.g., in the treatment of
melanoma and
lung cancer. However, little is known about the possible application of
immunotherapy in
brain cancer. In this review, we will provide an overview of the current consensus on MB classification and the state of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research concerning
immunotherapy in MB. Based on existing evidence, we will especially focus on
immune checkpoint inhibition and CAR T-cell therapy. Additionally, we will discuss challenges associated with these
immunotherapies and relevant strategies to overcome those.