An Introduction to Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Brain Tumors

Malignant brain tumors represent an aggressive disease entity. The lack of specificity of standard therapy damages nonmalignant tissue. These off-target effects result in both short-term and long-term complications, which limit quality of life. Exciting opportunities lie in the ability of the immune system to identify and ultimately destroy aberrant cells with high levels of specificity. Advances in our understanding of the physiology of the immune response, and specifically, the specialized immune response that exists within the central nervous system have made early advances in immunotherapy possible. A growing body of evidence in animal models has shown that immunotherapy represents a feasible therapeutic avenue. This has been recapitulated in several successful clinical trials aimed at treating a variety of cancers, including malignant brain tumors.

Duke Scholars

Author Jordan Komisarow Neurosurgery

Author John Howard Sampson Neurosurgery