Published in:
01-06-2017 | Neuro-Oncology (L Abrey, Section Editor)
The Potential of Cellular- and Viral-Based Immunotherapies for Malignant Glioma–Dendritic Cell Vaccines, Adoptive Cell Transfer, and Oncolytic Viruses
Authors:
Russell Maxwell, Andrew S. Luksik, Tomas Garzon-Muvdi, Michael Lim
Published in:
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
|
Issue 6/2017
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Abstract
Purpose of Review
Malignant gliomas, including glioblastoma and anaplastic astrocytoma, are the most frequent primary brain tumors and present with many treatment challenges. In this review, we discuss the potential of cellular- and viral-based immunotherapies in the treatment of malignant glioma, specifically focusing on dendritic cell vaccines, adoptive cell therapy, and oncolytic viruses.
Recent Findings
Diverse cellular- and viral-based strategies have been engineered and optimized to generate either a specific or broad antitumor immune response in malignant glioma. Due to their successes in the preclinical arena, many of these therapies have undergone phase I and II clinical testing. These early clinical trials have demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of these immunotherapies.
Summary
Dendritic cell vaccines, adoptive cell transfer, and oncolytic viruses may have a potential role in the treatment of malignant glioma. However, these modalities must be investigated in well-designed phase III trials to prove their efficacy.