Dendritic cell-based vaccines are considered the most advanced examples of
active specific immunotherapy against cancer. Dendritic cells, being pivotal for the
induction of immunity or tolerance, are not a single cell-type but comprise a large group
of cells with differing phenotypes, all with crucial implications for the resulting immune
response. To date, cancer vaccines are even being developed for cancers that have
traditionally not been regarded as immunogenic, like brain cancer, which might even
display underexplored opportunities rather than only hurdles. The major actual
challenge is the full integration of the vaccines into the complex interface of the patient
as host of the tumor, the tumor micro-environment and the conventional and other
therapies applied.
Keywords: Brain cancer, combinatorial therapies, dendritic cell, glioma, immune
modulation, immune profiles, micro-environment, tumor antigens, tumor vaccine.
