[Vaccine therapy of prostate cancer]

Abstract

Vaccine therapy of prostate cancer has been increasingly studied in trials over the past few years. The different vaccine techniques are quite variable and are predominantly used in patients with advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer. In this review, vaccine techniques using tumor cells, dendritic cells or poxvirus are analyzed. For theses approaches phase-III trials are being planned, have been initiated or are already completed. Many trials demonstrate the efficacy with regard to endpoints such as stimulation of the immune system and/or biochemical response and/or clinical response. Recently, one vaccine approach using autologous dendritic cells demonstrated a statistically significant prolongation of overall survival compared to placebo in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Side effects of vaccination are generally mild. At present, there are trials are being planned or are already ongoing that combine vaccine with other treatment strategies or enroll patients with earlier disease stages.