Immunotherapy may provide a new option in breast cancer

Abstract

Biomodulation is one of the new catchphrases in cancer therapy. It refers to ways of altering the host-tumour relationship to the patient's advantage. It is unlikely that it will be achieved by a single treatment, but rather by several complimentary therapies. Active specific immunotherapy (ASI) looks set to make a significant contribution to this approach. Early trials in patients with breast cancer indicate that it is possible to induce an immune response to the patient's own tumour, leading to stabilisation of the cancer in many cases. The concept of ASI in the context of biomodulation was discussed at the 6th European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Breast Cancer Working Conference [ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; September 1994 ].