[Tumor vaccines-therapeutic vaccination against cancer]

Abstract

Tumor cells always exhibit differences to normal cells. These differences can be recognized by the immune system, enabling the destruction of tumor cells by T cells, as was impressively demonstrated by the success of immune checkpoint inhibition, e.g., in malignant melanoma. Many cancers, however, do not respond to this kind of therapy. In these cases, vaccination against tumor antigens could be very helpful. Nevertheless, all of the efforts made in this respect during the past 30 years have been virtually futile. With current knowledge and technology there is new hope.

Keywords: Adjuvants, immunologic; Antigens, neoplasm; Vaccines, DNA; Vaccines, RNA; Vaccines, peptide.