Biologic Principles of Immunotherapy for Malignant Gliomas

Seunggu J. Han, Gurvinder Kaur, Isaac Yang, Michael Lim

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

The most common primary brain neoplasm is glioblastoma multiforme, which is associated with a dismal prognosis. Despite the recommended treatment regimen of aggressive surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy, the median survival remains approximately only 14 months. Due to these minimal improvements in survival of patients despite recent advances in conventional treatments, new modalities such as immunotherapy are being investigated and studied. A hurdle to developing effective immunotherapy is the immunosuppressive characteristics that are the hallmark of malignant gliomas. Effective therapeutic strategies will require overcoming these mechanisms, by augmenting tumor antigen presentation, perhaps in a setting isolated from the tumor microenvironment. The heterogeneity of potential glioma antigens warrants potential targeting of multiple tumor-specific antigens, and discovery and investigation of additional antigens. This article describes the current strategies and principles of immunotherapy for malignant gliomas.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-16
Number of pages16
JournalNeurosurgery clinics of North America
Volume21
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Glioma
  • Immunosuppression
  • Immunotherapy
  • Tumor-specific antigen

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Clinical Neurology

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