Progress in active-specific immunotherapy of brain malignancies

Despite the significant advances in neurosurgical techniques and oncology t reatment regimens, the prognosis of patients with brain malignancies remain s dismal. Brain tumours remain as lethal in the beginning of this new mille nnium as they were 30 years ago. Among the promising treatment modalities b eing tested are Various immunotherapeutic approaches. Development of cancer vaccines, also known as active-specific immunotherapy, for malignant, brai n rumours is summarised in this review. Understanding the mechanisms behind vaccinations and the initiation of immune response have helped the design and improvement of the efficacy of clinical vaccines. The emergence of the antigen-presenting properties of dendritic cells brings the cancer vaccine field into a new generation. Preclinical work on the use of dendritic cell- based vaccine for malignant brain rumours are encouraging. The move from th ese preliminary studies to the clinic is anticipated with high hope.