Melanoma vaccines: mixed past, promising future

Surg Clin North Am. 2014 Oct;94(5):1017-30, viii. doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2014.07.005. Epub 2014 Aug 7.

Abstract

Cancer vaccines were one of the earliest forms of immunotherapy to be investigated. Past attempts to vaccinate against cancer, including melanoma, have mixed results, showing the complexity of what was believed to be a simple concept. However, several recent successes and the combination of improved knowledge of tumor immunology and the advent of new immunomodulators make vaccination a promising strategy for the future.

Keywords: Adjuvant; Immunomodulator; Immunotherapy; Melanoma; Vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Forecasting
  • Gangliosides / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / immunology
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Vaccines, Subunit / immunology
  • Vaccines, Subunit / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Gangliosides
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Vaccines, Subunit