Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
Quantitative Immunohistochemistry of the Cellular Microenvironment in Patient Glioblastoma Resections
Published on: July 31, 2017
Microenvironmental clues for glioma immunotherapy
Michael Platten1, Katharina Ochs, Dieter Lemke
1Department of Neurooncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumor Diseases, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Units, Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany, michael.platten@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
Abstract:
Gliomas have been viewed for decades as inaccessible for a meaningful antitumor immune response as they grow in a sanctuary site protected from infiltrating immune cells. Moreover, the glioma microenvironment constitutes a hostile environment for an efficient antitumor immune response as glioma-derived factors such as transforming growth factor β and catabolites of the essential amino acid tryptophan paralyze T-cell function. There is growing evidence from preclinical and clinical studies that a meaningful antitumor immunity exists in glioma patients and that it can be activated by vaccination strategies. As a consequence, the concept of glioma immunotherapy appears to be experiencing a renaissance with the first phase 3 randomized immunotherapy trials entering the clinical arena. On the basis of encouraging results from other tumor entities using immunostimulatory approaches by blocking endogenous T-cell suppressive pathways mediated by cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 or programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death protein 1 ligand 1 with humanized antibodies, there is now a realistic and promising option to combine active immunotherapy with agents blocking the immunosuppressive microenvironment in patients with gliomas to allow a peripheral antitumor immune response induced by vaccination to become effective. Here we review the current clinical and preclinical evidence of antimicroenvironment immunotherapeutic strategies in gliomas.
Insights
Glioma immunotherapy is showing promise, with new strategies aiming to overcome the tumor's protective environment. Combining vaccination with immune checkpoint inhibitors may activate a T-cell response against gliomas.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer research
Background:
- Gliomas are traditionally considered immune-privileged tumors, protected from immune cell infiltration.
- The glioma microenvironment actively suppresses anti-tumor immune responses through factors like transforming growth factor β and tryptophan catabolites.
- Despite challenges, evidence suggests glioma patients possess anti-tumor immunity that can be activated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current clinical and preclinical evidence for immunotherapeutic strategies targeting the glioma microenvironment.
- To explore the potential of combining active immunotherapy (vaccination) with immune checkpoint blockade for glioma treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical studies and clinical trials investigating glioma immunotherapy.
- Analysis of strategies involving T-cell suppressive pathway blockade (CTLA-4, PD-1/PD-L1).
- Examination of combination approaches using vaccination and microenvironment-targeting agents.
Main Results:
- Growing evidence supports the existence and potential activation of anti-tumor immunity in glioma patients.
- Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1/PD-L1), shows promise in other cancers.
- Combining vaccination with agents that block immunosuppressive pathways is a promising strategy for glioma.
Conclusions:
- Glioma immunotherapy is experiencing a resurgence, with Phase 3 trials underway.
- Targeting the immunosuppressive glioma microenvironment is crucial for effective immunotherapy.
- Combination strategies hold realistic promise for enhancing anti-tumor immune responses in glioma patients.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment