Therapeutic vaccines for malignant brain tumors

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Malignant gliomas are the most common and aggressive form of brain tumors. Current therapy consists of surgical resection, followed by radiation therapy and concomitant chemotherapy. Despite these treatments, the prognosis for patients is poor. As such, investigative therapies including tumor vaccines have targeted this devastating condition. Recent clinical trials involving immunotherapy, specifically dendritic cell (DC) based vaccines, have shown promising results. Overall, these vaccines are well tolerated with few documented side effects. In many patients receiving vaccines, tumor progression was delayed and the median overall survival of these patients was prolonged. Despite these encouraging results, several factors have limited the efficacy of DC vaccines. Here we discuss the potential of DC vaccines as adjuvant therapy and current obstacles of generating highly pure and potent DC vaccines in the context of malignant glioma. Taken together, the results from earlier clinical studies justify additional clinical trials aimed at improving the efficacy of DC vaccines.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)753-761
Number of pages9
JournalBiologics: Targets and Therapy
Volume2
Issue number4
StatePublished - 2008

Keywords

  • Dendritic cells
  • Glioblastoma multiforme
  • Immunotherapy
  • Malignant glioma
  • Vaccine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Rheumatology
  • Oncology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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