Dendritic Cell Vaccines for Gliomas

摘要: The total number of new cases of primary malignant brain tumors in the United States in 2005 was 21,690 as estimated by the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBRTUS). Astrocytomas are the most common primary brain tumor. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and malignant form with a median survival of only 15 months despite best possible treatment—surgical resection followed by radiation and chemotherapy. GBM can transition from a lower grade glioma (secondary GBM) or can develop de novo (primary GBM). Despite advances in surgical technique, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, the prognosis for patients with malignant glioma remains poor. Even after optimal treatment with surgical resection followed by chemoradiation therapy, the median survival of GBM is 15 months. The infiltrative nature of the disease, a central nervous system (CNS) microenvironment that can escape immune surveillance, and resistance of tumor to chemotherapy contribute to a grim prognosis.