Abstract
The identification of numerous breast cancer antigens has generated increasing enthusiasm for the application of immune-based therapies in breast malignancies. Although the use of monoclonal antibodies has revolutionized the "targeted therapy" of breast cancer, and the immunomodulatory effects of bisphosphonates continue to be evaluated, few studies to date have demonstrated widespread utility for other forms of immunotherapy. The present review assesses modern research and explores whether the hopes for immunotherapy can overcome the hype.
Highlights
E-JOURNAL LINKED ABSTRACT The application of immunotherapeutic principles to the treatment and prevention of breast cancer has been ongoing for decades
Cancer vaccines, and other host factors have been extensively studied in breast cancer, the therapeutic efficacy of these approaches remains unproven
Cytokines, and vaccines have all individually shown some promise, and the immunomodulatory effects of bisphosphonates have taken a front seat in the treatment of breast cancer, it is likely that the best strategy to combat breast cancer will be a multimodality strategy
Summary
E-JOURNAL LINKED ABSTRACT The application of immunotherapeutic principles to the treatment and prevention of breast cancer has been ongoing for decades. Given the mechanisms of immunotherapy, these treatments are most likely to work in the adjuvant setting and not in the setting in which they are usually tested: the heavily treated patient with metastatic breast cancer. We report the case of a patient who underwent nephrectomy for stage iii renal cell carcinoma and who presented 20 months later with respiratory symptoms consistent with pneumonia, influenza, or (less likely) congestive heart failure or a cardiac event. Persistent right pleural effusion on serial chest radiographs despite treatment prompted computed tomography evaluation, which revealed lymphangitic carcinomatosis, a very rare form of renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the lung. This preliminary finding was confirmed by right middle lobe tissue biopsy through bronchoscopy and cytopathology examination. The Use and Effectiveness of Temozolomide in Children with Central Nervous System Tumours: A Survey from the Canadian Paediatric Brain Tumour Consortium
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