Embryonic vaccines against cancer: an early history.
Almost 100 years have passed since the seminal observations of Schöne showing that vaccination of animals with fetal tissue would prevent the growth of transplantable tumors. Many subsequent reports have affirmed the general idea that immunologic rejection of transplantable tumors, as well as prevention of carcinogenesis, may be affected by vaccination with embryonic/fetal material. Following a decade of intense research on this phenomenon during approximately 1964-1974, interest appears to have waned. This earlier experimental work may be particularly pertinent in view of the rising interest in so-called cancer stem cells. We believe that further work - perhaps involving the use of embryonic stem cells as immunogens - is warranted and that the results reviewed herein support the concept that vaccination against the appearance of cancers of all kinds is a real possibility.
Brewer
Bradley G
BG
James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA.
Mitchell
Robert A
RA
Harandi
Amir
A
Eaton
John W
JW
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000266:history; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines