Prostate Cancer Research

[Cancer immunotherapy--current status]

Ther Umsch. 2006 Apr;63(4):262-6

Authors: Kundig TM, Renner Ch, Knuth A

Cancer immunotherapy includes passive and active strategies. Passive immunotherapy such as the use of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, and in a broader sense also of other immunological effector molecules, such as interferon-alpha is clinically established. The efficacy of passive immunotherapy attests to the fact that the immune system can successfully fight cancer. The logical next step is therefore to develop strategies for active immunotherapy, i.e. "vaccines against cancer". This review focuses on the current status of active immunotherapy with respect to clinical application. Although active immunotherapy is still in the experimental stage, the data are highly encouraging and it is expected that vaccination will soon become part of cancer management.

PMID: 16689457 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]