COLORECTAL-CANCER VACCINES

Background Advances in molecular pathology have enabled a number of co lorectal cancer antigens to be identified and characterized. The commo nest investigated include 17-1A, 791Tgp72 and carcinoembryonic antigen . Vaccines have been developed that stimulate the immune system to tar get these antigens. This paper reviews current areas uf research in th is field. Methods and Results Relevant articles were obtained on vacci nes for colorectal cancer from Medline and the Bath Information Data S ystem. A number of approaches are currently being evaluated in Phase I , II and III trials. These include anti-idiotypic antibody immunizatio n, DNA vaccines, mucin and heat shock protein-based vaccines? oncogene s and viral vectors. Conclusion Evidence is accumulating to suggest th at immune responses may be generated against colorectal cancer using t hese approaches. While the concept of vaccination against this maligna ncy is essentially experimental, surgeons should be aware of current a dvances.