Cancer vaccine development: on the way to break immune tolerance to malignant cells.
Exploiting a naturally occurring defense system, the immunotherapeutic approach embodies an ideal nontoxic treatment for cancer. Despite the evidence that immune effectors can play a significant role in controlling tumor growth either in natural conditions or in response to therapeutic manipulation, the cascade of molecular events leading to tumor rejection by the immune system remains to be fully elucidated. Nevertheless, some recent tumor immunology advancements might drastically change the way to design the next generation of cancer vaccines, hopefully improving the effectiveness of this therapeutic approach. In the present work, we will focus on three main areas of particular interest for the development of novel vaccination strategies: (a) cellular or molecular mechanisms of immune tolerance to malignant cells; (b) synergism between innate and adaptive immune response; (c) tumor-immune system interactions within the tumor microenvironment.
Mocellin
Simone
S
Department of Oncological and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy. mocellins@hotmail.com
Rossi
Carlo Riccardo
CR
Nitti
Donato
D
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology*; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007114:Immunization; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines