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Published on: January 7, 2019
Challenges in the development of a survivin vaccine (SurVaxM) for malignant glioma
Robert A Fenstermaker1, Michael J Ciesielski
1Department of Neurosurgery, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and State University of New York School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
Abstract:
There is growing interest in immunotherapy for malignant gliomas. This interest stems from a number of immunological observations, together with the failure of conventional therapeutic agents to produce broad and clinically meaningful improvements in survival and quality of life. The challenges faced in translating laboratory-based immunological observations to Phase I and II clinical trials for immunotherapy of gliomas are substantial. Nevertheless, as our understanding of the effects of active specific vaccination in glioma patients grows, results support optimism that such methods may eventually prove useful as an adjunctive treatment for these cancers. This paper highlights a number of barriers encountered in the translational development of a survivin-targeted peptide vaccine (SurVaxM) for patients with malignant gliomas.
Insights
Immunotherapy shows promise for malignant gliomas due to conventional treatment failures. Developing survivin-targeted peptide vaccines (SurVaxM) faces translational challenges but may offer adjunctive cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Cancer immunotherapy
- Vaccine development
Background:
- Conventional treatments for malignant gliomas offer limited survival benefits.
- Immunological observations suggest potential for immunotherapy in glioma treatment.
- Active specific vaccination strategies are being explored for glioma patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the translational challenges in developing immunotherapy for malignant gliomas.
- To highlight barriers in the development of a survivin-targeted peptide vaccine (SurVaxM).
Main Methods:
- Review of immunological observations and clinical trial data.
- Analysis of translational barriers for glioma immunotherapy.
- Focus on survivin-targeted peptide vaccine (SurVaxM) development.
Main Results:
- Significant challenges exist in translating laboratory findings to clinical trials for glioma immunotherapy.
- Survivin-targeted peptide vaccine (SurVaxM) development faces specific translational hurdles.
- Growing understanding of active specific vaccination in glioma patients offers optimism.
Conclusions:
- Despite challenges, immunotherapy, particularly active specific vaccination, holds potential as an adjunctive treatment for malignant gliomas.
- Overcoming translational barriers is crucial for the successful clinical application of novel glioma immunotherapies like SurVaxM.
