Prostate cancer vaccines: current status.
Recent insights into cell-mediated immunotherapy have led to a wave of new trials involving immunotherapy for prostate cancer. Vaccines have evolved from nonspecific immune stimulants like Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) to much more specific and potent strategies. Techniques currently being investigated include passive immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, adoptive transfer of activated effector T cells, and active immunotherapy involving immunization with whole-cell or antigen-specific vaccines. These therapies are being modified with cytokines and other immune modulating agents. Understanding the mechanisms of antitumor immunity and identifying relevant tumor-specific antigens will likely improve these vaccine strategies and provide them with a niche in the future of prostate cancer therapy.
Hwang
L C
LC
Department of Medical Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Fein
S
S
Levitsky
H
H
Nelson
W G
WG
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007167:Immunotherapy; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014612:Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D016207:Cytokines; D014612:Vaccines