Tumor vaccines: Toward multidimensional anti-tumor therapies

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023 Dec 15;19(3):2271334. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2271334. Epub 2023 Oct 31.

Abstract

For decades, immunotherapies have offered hope for patients with advanced cancer. However, they show distinct benefits and limited clinical effects. Tumor vaccines have the potential to prime tumor-antigen-specific T cells and induce broad subsets of immune responses, ultimately eradicating tumor cells. Here, we classify tumor vaccines by their anti-tumor mechanisms, which include boosting the immune system, overcoming tumor immunosuppression, and modulating tumor angiogenesis. We focus on multidimensional tumor vaccine strategies using combinations of two or three of the above mechanisms, as these are superior to single-dimensional treatments. This review offers a perspective on tumor vaccine strategies and the future role of vaccine therapies in cancer treatment.

Keywords: Tumor vaccines; anti-tumor therapy; cytotoxic T cells; immune system; immunosuppression; multidimensional; tumor angiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Cancer Vaccines* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Neoplasms*
  • T-Lymphocytes

Substances

  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Antigens, Neoplasm

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, grants 82160314 and 81960497 to J.C. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection, and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.