Immunologic approaches to antigen discovery for cancer vaccines.
Since the early 1990s, scientists have identified an ever-expanding number of antigens to serve as targets for experimental cancer treatments, based on the stimulation of a patient's immune system. Using both immune cells and serum to screen potential candidates, several promising antigens are currently components of vaccines directed against a wide range of tumour types. These antigens vary in their tumour- and tissue-specificity. Their utility as a single reagent or as part of a multi-dimensional approach is as varied as the genes themselves. However, there are already reports indicating that the promise of evoking a clinically beneficial immune response, toward human tumours, is being fulfilled. In this review, we provide a summary of the current status of immunologic approaches to antigen discovery. We also discuss the need for additional, supportive data from non-immunologic techniques, as well as the progression of the preclinical process towards target validation.
Jones
L A
LA
Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc., 2203 Airport Way South, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98134, USA.
Salgaller
M L
ML
D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D019496:Cancer Vaccines