Immuntherapie des Pankreaskarzinoms

Abstract

Pancreatic carcinoma cells present tumor-specific antigens on their surfaces, thus an immunological reaction similar to transplant rejections is possible and may be used in tumor therapy. But tumors are rarely rejected due to their immune-escape mechanisms. In active-specific immunotherapy (ASI) tumor cells are infected by viruses to induce presentation of highly immunogenic antigens. This paper retrospectively summarizes long-term results of a series of ASI in the Surgical Clinic of the Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum-Langendreer and presents the clinical progress made on this field during the last 5 years. Because of the limited success of conventional tumor therapy, immunotherapy will continue to be an attractive alternative.