Immunological gene therapy approaches for malignant melanoma. 2. Preclinical studies and clinical strategies.
Immuno-gene therapy approaches for the treatment of malignant melanoma are categorized into two major subgroups according to an active or passive immunological principle. Active immuno-gene therapy is subdivided into melanoma cell vaccines, DNA-based vaccinations and the treatment of pre-existing tumor tissue by cell-mediated or direct transfer of cytokine and/or cell surface signal genes. Passive immuno-gene therapy, employing an adoptive treatment with in vitro activated and expanded anti-tumor effector cells, involves two major application fields for gene transfer techniques, first the genetic modification of the effector cells, and second the in vivo amplification of pre-effector cells by procedures also used in active immuno-gene therapy. Corresponding preclinical studies are reviewed. The clinical studies inaugurated during the last few years are mostly still ongoing and focus on treatment safety and tolerability rather than efficacy. A recent trend is emerging to explore recombinant adenovirus and vaccinia virus vectors particularly with regard to in vivo gene transfer applications. Overall, immuno-gene therapy of melanoma is still in a highly experimental stage of development but may become a safe, efficacious and practical adjuvant treatment modality in the future.
Bonnekoh
B
B
Department of Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex., USA.
Bickenbach
J R
JR
Roop
D R
DR
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017321:Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D007378:Interleukins