Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
12:42
Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Novel immunotherapies in GU malignancies
Alexandra Drakaki1, David F McDermott
1Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Rabb 430, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. adrakaki@bidmc.harvard.edu
Current Oncology Reports
|March 23, 2013
Summary
Genitourinary cancers are deadly, but new immunotherapies show promise. This review explores current treatments and future combination strategies for kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Genitourinary (GU) malignancies contribute significantly to cancer morbidity and mortality.
- Recent advancements in understanding cancer immunology have spurred the development of targeted immunotherapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current landscape of immunotherapy for GU cancers.
- To discuss future directions, including combination therapies and biomarker development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent clinical trials and research.
- Analysis of immunotherapy efficacy in advanced GU malignancies.
- Exploration of novel therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Emerging data suggests immunotherapies can improve outcomes for advanced GU cancers.
- Targeted immunotherapies represent a significant advancement in GU oncology.
Conclusions:
- Immunotherapy holds considerable promise for improving patient prognosis in kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers.
- Future research should focus on optimizing combination therapies and identifying predictive biomarkers.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...