[Cancer immunotherapy: from fundamental concepts to clinical applications]

Cancer immunotherapy is based on the idea that anti-tumor immunity in its various aspects can usefully complement the effect of conventional treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy). Immunotherapy can be active when one stimulates the function of cells capable to contribute to tumor regression, notably by using interleukin-2 or immunomodulators. It can be adoptive when patients' lymphocytes are collected and incubated in vitro in the presence of cytokines to enhance their function and reinjected in the patients. It can be passive when one administers anti-tumor monoclonal antibodies.