Cancer Vaccines in the Immunotherapy Era: Promise and Potential

Abstract

Therapeutic vaccines are a promising alternative for active immunotherapy for different types of cancers. Therapeutic cancer vaccines aim to prevent immune system responses that are not targeted at the tumors only, but also boost the anti-tumor immunity and promote regression or eradication of the malignancy without, or with minimal, adverse events. Clinical trial data have pushed the development of cancer vaccines forward, and the US Food and Drug Administration authorized the first therapeutic cancer vaccine. In the present review, we discuss the various types of cancer vaccines and different approaches for the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines, along with the current state of knowledge and future prospects. We also discuss how tumor-induced immune suppression limits the effectiveness of therapeutic vaccinations, and strategies to overcome this barrier to design efficacious, long-lasting anti-tumor immune responses in the generation of vaccines.

Nerve Growth Factor and the Role of Inflammation in Tumor Development

“…Inflammatory processes play a multifaceted role in tumor development and progression [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. While the immune system's inflammatory response is typically a defense mechanism against infections and tissue damage, chronic or persistent inflammation can contribute to the initiation, growth, and spread of certain types of tumors.…”