Dendritic-cell vaccination for prostate cancer

Vaccination with tumor antigen-loaded dendritic cells has been one of the most frequently applied immunotherapeutic strategies in prostate cancer. Immunological effects have been observed in a majority of patients, while clinical effects have been modest and transient. Advances in the understanding of the interplay between cancer and the immune system have generated new concepts in tumor immunology and immunotherapy that might aid in the improvement of vaccine effectiveness. The combination of immunotherapy with conventional treatment modalities and targeting of immunosuppressive mechanisms has demonstrated improved immunological and clinical results that warrant further investigation.