The potential for prostate cancer immunotherapy

The components of an effective immune response have been elucidated in recent years. An understanding of the dysfunctional immune response in cancer in one or more of these components has lead to a variety of immunotherapeutic approaches. These therapeutic strategies are designed to stimulate dendritic cell (DC) proliferation, promote antigen uptake and processing, stimulate an effector cell response via direct antigen presentation or target tumor cells via antibody therapy. Many approaches in prostate cancer have demonstrated successful induction of the desired immune response. Limited clinical success has also been seen.