Idiotype vaccine strategies for improving outcomes in follicular lymphoma.
BACKGROUND
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a common indolent lymphoma associated with a relapsing course. Preclinical models and clinical studies demonstrate that immunizing FL patients against their own tumor idiotype induces humoral and cellular immunity and supresses tumor growth.


METHODS
We review idiotype vaccine strategies that have been tested in FL patients in frontline and relapsed settings to examine the safety and efficacy of this approach.


RESULTS
Several Phase II trials of recombinant or hybridoma-produced vaccines or vaccines combined with other immunotherapy demonstrate cellular and humoral anti-idiotype responses and clinical responses, indicating that idiotype vaccines provide promise for improving FL outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
These strategies are now being evaluated in Phase III trials but have yet to demonstrate clear advantages in progression-free survival.
Sinha
Rajni
R
Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Shenoy
Pareen J
PJ
Flowers
Christopher R
CR
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000276:immunology*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D006825:Hybridomas; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D019496:Cancer Vaccines