Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Stereotactic Adoptive Transfer of Cytotoxic Immune Cells in Murine Models of Orthotopic Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Xenografts
Published on: September 1, 2018
Passive antibody-mediated immunotherapy for the treatment of malignant gliomas
Siddhartha Mitra1, Gordon Li, Griffith R Harsh
1Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Edwards Building Room 200, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Abstract:
Despite advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of brain cancer, the outcome of patients with malignant gliomas treated according to the current standard of care remains poor. Novel therapies are needed, and immunotherapy has emerged with great promise. The diffuse infiltration of malignant gliomas is a major challenge to effective treatment; immunotherapy has the advantage of accessing the entire brain with specificity for tumor cells. Therapeutic immune approaches include cytokine therapy, passive immunotherapy, and active immunotherapy. Cytokine therapy involves the administration of immunomodulatory cytokines to activate the immune system. Active immunotherapy is the generation or augmentation of an immune response, typically by vaccination against tumor antigens. Passive immunotherapy connotes either adoptive therapy, in which tumor-specific immune cells are expanded ex vivo and reintroduced into the patient, or passive antibody-mediated therapy. In this article, the authors discuss the preclinical and clinical studies that have used passive antibody-mediated immunotherapy, otherwise known as serotherapy, for the treatment of malignant gliomas.
Insights
Malignant glioma treatment remains poor, necessitating novel therapies like immunotherapy. This review focuses on passive antibody immunotherapy (serotherapy) for brain tumors, exploring its potential to overcome diffuse infiltration challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Molecular mechanisms of brain cancer
Background:
- Malignant gliomas have poor patient outcomes despite advances in molecular understanding.
- The diffuse infiltration of gliomas presents a significant challenge to current standard treatments.
- Immunotherapy offers a promising avenue for brain cancer treatment due to its potential for whole-brain access and tumor specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review preclinical and clinical studies on passive antibody-mediated immunotherapy for malignant gliomas.
- To highlight the potential of serotherapy in overcoming treatment challenges in brain cancer.
- To discuss the current landscape and future directions of immunotherapy for malignant gliomas.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical research in passive antibody immunotherapy for gliomas.
- Analysis of clinical trial data for serotherapy in malignant glioma patients.
- Exploration of different immunotherapy approaches: cytokine therapy, active immunotherapy, and passive immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- Passive antibody immunotherapy (serotherapy) shows promise for treating malignant gliomas.
- Immunotherapy can potentially access the entire brain, addressing diffuse tumor infiltration.
- Advances in understanding molecular mechanisms aid in developing targeted immunotherapies.
Conclusions:
- Passive antibody immunotherapy (serotherapy) is a developing strategy for malignant gliomas.
- Further research and clinical trials are needed to establish the efficacy of serotherapy.
- Immunotherapy holds significant promise for improving outcomes in brain cancer patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
01:20Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...