Cancer therapy: new concepts on active immunization.
There is increasing evidence that tumors express putative target molecules for a therapeutic immune reaction. Yet, tumor cells lack the prerequisites for appropriate antigen presentation and--hence--the immune system does not respond. This difficulty can probably be circumvented when tumor antigens are processed by conventional antigen presenting cells. Thus, the identification of immunogenic tumor-associated antigens may allow new modes of vaccination with the hope of adding a fourth and hopefully powerful weapon to surgery, radiation and chemotherapy in the fight against cancer.
Zöller
M
M
Department of Tumor Progression and Immune Defense, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg. m.zoeller@dkfz-heidelberg.de
Matzku
S
S
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D014611:Vaccination
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines