Immunotherapy for acute leukemia

Abstract

Acute leukemia was the first malignant disease in man for which an immunotherapeutic approach was used before development of laboratory and clinical studies, which later demonstrated the variety variety of deficiencies deficiences associated with the disease; these studies also demonstrated the presence of leukemia associated antigens with the hosts' immune response against them through cell mediated or humoral (antibody) mechanisms. Once the cytoreductive phase has reached its maximal effect and the leukemic patient in complete clinical remission is ready for immunotherapy, a number of immunotherapeutic approaches can be considered. They are classically divided into passive; adoptive; and active immunotherapy. A short survey is given.