Vaccination in human solid tumors: Recent progress in the clinical arena

Studies in animal models showed that antitumor immune response can be induced by a variety of cancer vaccines. This may also occur in the clinic, but the immune response in vaccinated cancer patients was rarely associated with a significant clinical response. This chapter will discuss (a) the crucial issue of the most appropriate tumor antigens (self vs. mutated) to be used for vaccination in human solid tumors; (b) the different factors that may impair antitumor immune response; (c) the reasons for the last, successful wave of vaccination trials; and (d) the role of combined vaccination and immunomodulation in the treatment of solid tumors.