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Adoptive immunotherapy of CNS malignancies
1Department of Pediatrics, 333 Cedar Street LMP 4087, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8064, USA.
Cancer Chemotherapy and Biological Response Modifiers
|November 1, 2001
Summary
T-cell adoptive immunotherapy shows promise for brain tumors by overcoming previous obstacles. Activated T cells can infiltrate tumors and patients can mount an immune response, suggesting potential for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Cellular Therapy
Background:
- Malignant brain tumors are difficult to eradicate completely with current treatments.
- T-cell adoptive immunotherapy is a promising area of research for CNS malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and potential of T-cell adoptive immunotherapy for brain tumors.
- To address and debunk theoretical obstacles to immunotherapy in the central nervous system (CNS).
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental data and clinical experience regarding T-cell trafficking and immune response in the CNS.
- Assessment of T-cell infiltration into brain tumors and patient immune responses.
- Evaluation of toxicity associated with T-cell adoptive transfer.
Main Results:
- No significant vascular barrier prevents T-cell trafficking into brain tumors.
- Patients can mount an immune response against their tumors, though factors like tumor burden can inhibit it.
- Therapeutic immune responses in the CNS have not shown autoimmune reactions against normal brain tissue.
- Systemic and local T-cell adoptive transfer exhibit low and transient toxicity.
Conclusions:
- T-cell adoptive immunotherapy is a viable strategy for malignant brain tumors.
- Patient selection and further antigen characterization are key for optimizing therapy.
- Ongoing clinical trials aim to determine response rates for newly diagnosed malignant gliomas.