Vaccine- and Immune-Based Therapy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

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Seminars in Oncology, Volume 33, Issue 2, Pages 220-229 (April 2006)

Vaccine- and Immune-Based Therapy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Rifca Le Dieu, Gribben

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) would appear to be an ideal target of

T-cell–mediated responses against the cancer cell. The cancer arises in cells

that can act as antigen-presenting cells (APCs), CLL cells express tumor

antigens, and the cells can be a target of the allogeneic T cells in a

graft-versus-leukemia effect. Despite these potential benefits, immune responses

against CLL cells have been difficult to elicit. CLL induces immune defects in

the host, the tumor cells are inefficient APCs, and therapies given to patients

with CLL are themselves immunosuppressive. Successful vaccination approaches in

this disease will require steps to overcome these difficulties, including steps

to improve the immune defects in this disease, identification of the targets of

the immune response to monitor immmunologic responses, and improved presentation

of antigen.

Institute of Cancer, CRUK Medical Oncology Unit, Barts and The London School of

Medicine, Queen , University of London, London, UK.

Address correspondence to Gribben, MD, DSc, Institute of Cancer, CRUK

Medical Oncology Unit, Barts and The London School of Medicine, Queen ,

University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.

PII: S0093-7754(05)00506-3

doi:10.1053/j.seminoncol.2005.12.012

http://www.seminoncol.org/article/PIIS0093775405005063/abstract