title: Cancer vaccines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a review of cancer vaccines, how they work, and the current state of the science underlying these treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research studies, review articles, book chapters, personal communications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vaccines have been studied in a variety of malignancies; however, melanoma has provided the best tumor model for vaccination. Clinical trials continue to investigate the optimal vaccine, route, and immunization schedule.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oncology nurses must grasp a widening array of therapeutic options for cancer patients. The educational needs of the patient will be better met through a thorough understanding of basic concepts of newer cancer therapies.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Center Nursing Department, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg 10/Room 7D50/MSC 1664, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Paula M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Muehlbauer
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Schwartzentruber
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000451:nursing*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D019139:Tumor Escape / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines