Current strategies for vaccination in glioblastoma

Immunotherapy is viewed as a promising approach for glioblastoma and, in particular, therapeutic vaccines are being intensively studied. Here, we review results provided by recent clinical trials of glioblastoma vaccination and discuss the required strategies to optimize such approaches.

Two studies showed the feasibility of generating mutation-derived personalized vaccines in the short time frame given by the fast course of disease in glioblastoma. However, one of these demonstrated lack of mutation-derived cell surface presented MHC class I or II peptides in tumors with low mutational burden.

Whereas glioblastoma vaccines are well tolerated, impact on patient survival has yet to be proven. Combinations with immune checkpoint inhibitors are being tested, but strategies aiming at targeting the tumor microenvironment should be implemented as well. Finally, accurate immunomonitoring should be promoted in order to identify the best vaccine strategies, alone or in combination.