Immunotherapy in multiple myeloma: current strategies and future prospects

Expert Rev Vaccines. 2003 Jun;2(3):391-8. doi: 10.1586/14760584.2.3.391.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma is still a fatal disease. Despite advances in high-dose chemotherapy supported by autologous transplantations, relapse of the underlying disease remains the primary cause of treatment failure. Strategies for post-transplantation immunomodulation would be desirable for eradication of remaining tumor cells. Toward this end, immunotherapy aimed at inducing myeloma-specific immunity in patients has been exploited. Idiotype protein, secreted by myeloma cells, has been the main target for immunotherapy as it is the best-defined, tumor-specific antigen. The focus of this review article is the use of idiotype as a form of protein antigen to immunize patients, to load dendritic cells, or as part of DNA vaccines. Various strategies of immunotherapy and the outcome of clinical trials are also discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigen Presentation
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / immunology
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Lymphocyte Transfusion
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology
  • Multiple Myeloma / therapy*
  • Myeloma Proteins / immunology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology
  • Vaccines, DNA / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Immunoglobulin Idiotypes
  • Myeloma Proteins
  • Vaccines, DNA