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Immunotherapy Approaches for Malignant Glioma From 2007 to 2009

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Abstract

Malignant glioma is a deadly disease for which there have been few therapeutic advances over the past century. Although previous treatments were largely unsuccessful, glioma may be an ideal target for immune-based therapy. Recently, translational research led to several clinical trials based on tumor immunotherapy to treat patients with malignant glioma. Here we review 17 recent glioma immunotherapy clinical trials, published over the past 3 years. Various approaches were used, including passive transfer of naked and radiolabeled antibodies, tumor antigen-specific peptide immunization, and the use of patient tumor cells with or without dendritic cells as vaccines. We compare and discuss the current state of the art of clinical immunotherapy treatment, as well as its limited successes, pitfalls, and future potential.

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Disclosure

Dr. Sampson has stock options with Celldex Therapeutics and also has received consulting and license fees from that company. No other potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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Correspondence to Laura A. Johnson.

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Johnson, L.A., Sampson, J.H. Immunotherapy Approaches for Malignant Glioma From 2007 to 2009. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 10, 259–266 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-010-0111-9

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