title: Rational approaches to human cancer immunotherapy.
abstract: Over most of the 20th century, immunotherapy for cancer was based on empiricism. Interesting phenomena were observed in the areas of cancer, infectious diseases, or transplantation. Inferences were made and extrapolated into new approaches for the treatment of cancer. If tumors regressed, the treatment approaches could be refined further. However, until the appropriate tools and reagents were available, investigators were unable to understand the biology underlying these observations. In the early 1990s, the first human tumor T cell antigens were defined and dendritic cells were discovered to play a pivotal role in antigen presentation. The current era of cancer immunotherapy is one of translational research based on known biology and rationally designed interventions and has led to a rapid expansion of the field. The beginning of the 21st century brings the possibility of a new era of effective cancer immunotherapy, combining rational, immunological treatments with conventional therapies to improve the outcome for patients with cancer.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia. Ian.Davis@ludwig.edu.au
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jefford
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parente
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cebon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D012107:Research Design
chemical_list: D019496:Cancer Vaccines