Immunotherapy of cancer (Review)

Abstract

We present a review of modern methods of immunotherapy of cancer. The following main types of immunotherapy are considered: active and passive, specific and non-specific. Active non-specific immunotherapy of tumors is based on the use of cytokines, some bacterial products, synthetic molecules and hormones; active specific immunotherapy — on the use of vaccines on tumor-associated or viral antigens. The main approaches of passive non-specific immunotherapy are adoptive T cell therapy as well as the use of heat-shock proteins and lectins. Passive specific immunotherapy is based on the injection of monoclonal antibodies. Special attention is paid in the review to the mechanisms of the antitumor effects of immunotherapeutic agents: their effects on the cells of the immune system as well as their inhibition of tumor progression. The results of some in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies and of the clinical trials of different medications are presented. The prospects for the use of immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer are discussed.