Therapeutic vaccines and immune checkpoints inhibition options for gynecological cancers. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Tucci, Chiara; Schiavi, Michele Carlo; Faiano, Pierangelo; D'Oria, Ottavia; Prata, Giovanni; Sciuga, Valentina; Giannini, Andrea; Palaia, Innocenza; Muzii, Ludovico; Benedetti Panici, Pierluigi
• Is Part Of: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology. Volume 128(2018)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: HPV human papilloma virus -- CC cervical cancer -- EC endometrial cancer -- CIN cervical intraepithelial neoplasia -- VIN vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia -- VaIN vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia -- CTLA-4 cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 -- PD-1 programmed cell-death 1 -- PD-L1 programmed cell-death ligand 1 -- ACT adoptive cell transfer -- APC antigen presenting cells -- MHC major histocompatibility complex -- DC dendritic cells; Gynecological cancers -- Immunotherapy -- HPV vaccines -- Immune checkpoint blockade -- Clinical trials; Oncology -- Periodicals; Hematology -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.05.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-8428

Abstract

Highlights: Immunotherapy has proven promising results in various malignancies. Gynecological cancers' etiology is a rationale for therapeutic vaccines. Immunogenicity of gynecological cancers supports the use of immunotherapy. Immunotherapy combined with current approaches is an encouraging option. The review outlines results of immunotherapies in gynecological cancers. Abstract: Treatments for gynecological cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. However, overall survival is not improved, and novel approaches are needed. Immunotherapy has been proven efficacious in various types of cancers and multiple approaches have been recently developed. Since numerous gynecological cancers are associated to human papilloma virus (HPV) infections, therapeutic vaccines, targeting HPV epitopes, have been developed. The advancing understanding of the immune system, regulatory pathways and tumor microenvironment have produced a major interest in immune checkpoint blockade, Indeed, immune checkpoint molecules are important clinical targets in a wide variety of tumors, including gynecological. In this review, we will describe the immunotherapeutic targets and modalities available and review the most recent immunotherapeutic clinical trials in the context of gynecological cancers. The synergic results obtained from the combination of HPV therapeutic vaccines with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or immune checkpoint inhibitors, may underlie the potential for a novel therapeutic scenario for these tumors.