Immunotherapy for lung cancer.
Immunotherapy is a conceptually attractive approach, because it is highly specific and can deal with disseminated disease with minimal impact on normal tissues. Ability to induce antigen-specific immune responses in patients with lung cancer is now well established in early-phase clinical trials using a variety of immunotherapeutic approaches. Although no immunotherapy is likely to be a panacea, randomized phase IIB studies offer promise of therapeutic activity in both early- and late-stage lung cancer. This review will cover basic concepts of immunotherapy, provide perspective on vaccine development, and update the status of ongoing clinical trials in lung cancer.
Hirschowitz
Edward A
EA
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Chandler Medical Center, Lexington, KY, USA. eahirs2@uky.edu
Yannelli
John R
JR
D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
D019496:Cancer Vaccines