[Current status and prospects of immunotherapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer]

Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are three major therapies for cancer. But now, hope is being gathered in immunotherapy as a treatment for fourth. Immunotherapy has been done than before, but they are non-specific immunotherapy. Those that have become hot topics are specific immunotherapies targeting certain molecules or antigens. In this chapter, current status and prospects of immunotherapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) are described. As concrete examples, Sipuleucel-T(Provenge), GVAX, PROSTVAC-VF, Ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4 mAb), anti-PD-1 mAb and anti-PSMA mAb are cited. As a result, it is not obtained results which therapy also satisfactory at present. Because of its uncertainties we are in the developmental stages of this therapy and improved outcomes might be achievable.