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A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Immunotherapy for prostate cancer: recent advances, lessons learned, and areas for further research
James L Gulley1, Charles G Drake
1Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Dr., 8B09 MSC 1750, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Abstract:
A surge of interest in therapeutic cancer vaccines has arisen in the wake of recent clinical trials suggesting that such vaccines can result in statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in overall survival-with substantially limited side effects compared with chemotherapy-in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. One of these trials led to the registration of sipuleucel-T, the first therapeutic vaccine to be approved for cancer patients. In this review we highlight emerging patterns from clinical trials that suggest a need for more-appropriate patient populations (i.e., with lower tumor volume and less-aggressive disease) and endpoints (i.e., overall survival) for studies of immunotherapy alone, as well as biologically plausible explanations for these findings. We also explore the rationale for ongoing and planned studies combining therapeutic vaccines with other modalities. Finally, we attempt to put these findings into a practical clinical context and suggest fertile areas for future study. Although our discussion focuses on prostate cancer, the concepts we address most likely have broad applicability to immunotherapy for other cancers as well.
Insights
Therapeutic cancer vaccines show promise for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, improving survival with fewer side effects. Future research should focus on specific patient groups and combination therapies for broader cancer immunotherapy applications.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Recent clinical trials demonstrate therapeutic cancer vaccines' efficacy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
- Sipuleucel-T, the first approved therapeutic cancer vaccine, emerged from these trials.
- Therapeutic vaccines offer improved overall survival with limited side effects compared to chemotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging patterns from clinical trials of therapeutic cancer vaccines.
- To identify optimal patient populations and endpoints for immunotherapy studies.
- To explore combination strategies for cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical trial data for therapeutic cancer vaccines.
- Analysis of patient populations and study endpoints.
- Exploration of combination therapies with other treatment modalities.
Main Results:
- Clinical trials suggest a need for selecting patients with lower tumor burden and less aggressive disease for immunotherapy.
- Overall survival remains a key endpoint for immunotherapy studies.
- Biologically plausible explanations support observed findings in prostate cancer immunotherapy.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic cancer vaccines represent a significant advancement in cancer treatment, particularly for prostate cancer.
- Optimizing patient selection and study endpoints is crucial for future immunotherapy trials.
- Combining therapeutic vaccines with other modalities holds promise for enhanced anti-cancer effects and has broad applicability across various cancers.
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