Prostate cancer immunotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
Basic immunology research over several decades has led to an improved understanding of tumor recognition by components of the immune system and mechanisms of tumor evasion from immune detection. These findings have ultimately led to four phase III trials, currently underway, evaluating antitumor active immunotherapies in patients with prostate cancer. This article reviews recent published findings in the area of prostate cancer immunotherapies, focusing on both passive and active immunotherapy approaches that have entered clinical trials.


RESULTS
Clinical trials with immune active agents reported in the last year have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of prostate cancer. These agents include immune modulators such as granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and anticytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 monoclonal antibodies, antibody therapies targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen, and vaccines such as those targeting prostatic acid phosphatase, prostate-specific antigen, and cellular vaccines expressing granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from several recent clinical trials have suggested that immune-based therapies have clinical benefit in patients with prostate cancer with potentially less toxicity than traditional systemic treatments. We review recent reports of immunotherapies being evaluated in patients with prostate cancer, and highlight the direction for these therapies in combination with other immunotherapies and other traditional therapies.
McNeel
Douglas G
DG
Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA. dm3@medicine.wisc.edu
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D014162:Transfection
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C556706:CTLA4 protein, human; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen