Cancer vaccines entering Phase III clinical trials

Abstract

The last 10 years have seen a growth in the number of tumour antigens identified from immune responses raised in patients. The discovery that tumours can be recognised by the immune system stimulated a great deal of work characterising the molecular mechanisms underlying immune recognition. This in turn has led to an impressive array of immunological approaches to the generation of cancer vaccines; these range from molecularly defined T cell epitopes, antibody-based vaccines, cytokine therapies, immune modulators and DNA vaccines, to whole cell vaccines and, more recently, combinations of these methods. Many of these approaches have entered Phase I/II trials and have shown interesting clinical results. Moreover, they have extended our knowledge of the immune system and our understanding of the mechanisms required to design a successful cancer vaccine. This review outlines some of the approaches that have led to some of these vaccines entering Phase III clinical trials, discusses their modes of action and reports on their current status in trial.

Emerging Cancer Vaccines: The Promise of Genetic Vectors

“…Whole cell vaccines, perhaps the oldest approach, utilize irradiated cancer cells, either autologous or allogeneic, as source of tumor antigens either in combination with adjuvants, or genetically modified [12]. They have been shown to induce tumor-specific immunity and durable anti-tumor responses in a number of Phase I and II trials [13]. However, in the past few years several high-profile Phase III trials, including those conducted using the promising GVAX technology (see below) have failed to meet the predefined endpoints [14].…”

Dendritic Cell‐Based Vaccine against Coccidioides Infection

“…[19][20][21][22][23] Dendritic cell-based preparations are already in clinical trials against cancer. 24,25 The preclinical results of DC-based vaccines in animal models of fungal infection have been reviewed elsewhere. 26,27 Earlier, it was demonstrated that DCs are activated after interacting with fungal pathogens, such as Aspergillus conidia, 28 Candida yeasts, 29 and coccidioidal ligands, such as T27K antigen.…”

Carbohydrate Antigens: Synthesis Aspects and Immunological Applications in Cancer

“…Indeed, mAbs have shown great promises for the treatment of cancer and several are now available to the market [68]. Although none of them are directed to carbohydrate structures so far, some clinical and preclinical studies with mAbs against gangliosides are very encouraging for a further development in humans [69,70].…”