Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026
Intratibial Osteosarcoma Cell Injection to Generate Orthotopic Osteosarcoma and Lung Metastasis Mouse Models
Published on: October 28, 2021
Immunotherapy for osteosarcoma: Where do we go from here?
Mary F Wedekind1,2, Lars M Wagner3, Timothy P Cripe1,2
1Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplant, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
Abstract:
Osteosarcoma is the most common bone tumor in children and young adults, with few advances in survival and treatment, especially for metastatic disease, in the last 30 years. Recently, immunotherapy has begun to show promise in various adult cancers, but the utility of this approach for osteosarcoma remains relatively unexplored. In this review, we outline the mechanisms and status of immunotherapies currently in clinical trials as well as future therapies on the horizon, and discuss their potential application for osteosarcoma.
Insights
Immunotherapy shows promise for various cancers, but its application for osteosarcoma, a common bone cancer in young people, is largely unexplored. This review examines current and future immunotherapies for osteosarcoma treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pediatric Oncology
Background:
- Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone malignancy in children and young adults.
- Treatment advances for osteosarcoma, particularly metastatic disease, have been limited over the past three decades.
- Immunotherapy has demonstrated success in various adult cancers, yet its potential in osteosarcoma remains underinvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current status and mechanisms of immunotherapies in clinical trials for cancer.
- To explore emerging immunotherapeutic strategies.
- To discuss the potential application and future directions of immunotherapy for osteosarcoma.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current clinical trials in immunotherapy.
- Analysis of established and novel immunotherapy mechanisms.
- Discussion of preclinical and clinical data relevant to osteosarcoma.
Main Results:
- Immunotherapy is a rapidly evolving field with diverse mechanisms, including checkpoint inhibitors and cellular therapies.
- Several immunotherapies are approved for adult malignancies, with ongoing trials exploring their efficacy.
- Limited but emerging data suggest potential roles for immunotherapy in osteosarcoma, particularly in combination settings.
Conclusions:
- Osteosarcoma treatment requires novel approaches due to stagnant survival rates.
- Immunotherapy represents a promising avenue for overcoming treatment resistance in osteosarcoma.
- Further research and clinical trials are essential to establish the efficacy and safety of immunotherapies for osteosarcoma patients.
