Ces Urol 2014, 18(4):273-278 | DOI: 10.48095/cccu2014040

Immunotherapy of prostate cancer

Bartůňková J.¹, Špíšek R.¹, Podrazil M.¹, Jarolím L.²

¹ Ústav imunologie a

² Urologická klinika 2. LF UK a Fakultní nemocnice v Motole, Praha

Immunotherapy has become an increasingly appealing therapeutic strategy for patients with cancer. Tumorigenesis itself is a very complex process. The development of cancer is a multistage process of a comprehensive nature wherein the tumour cells themselves represent a very heterogeneous population put into the context of a microenvironment of non-tumour cells and tissues, thus forming a complex tumour "ecosystem". The immune system is capable of controlling tumour cell growth in the early stages of tumour development. With advanced tumour growth, immune mechanisms become more or less paralysed and, in fact, not infrequently have a promoting effect on tumour cell proliferation. In order to be successful, anticancer therapy must take into consideration all the comprehensive aspects of interaction of the immune system and tumour cells, including the microenvironment. The article deals with the current options of immunotherapy for prostate cancer with agents that have advanced into phase III clinical trials.

Keywords: immunotherapy, prostate cancer, clinical trials

Published: November 1, 2014