Purpose of review: The breast tumor microenvironment is immunosuppressive and is increasingly recognized to play a significant role in tumorigenesis. A deeper understanding of normal and aberrant interactions between malignant and immune cells has allowed researchers to harness the immune system with novel immunotherapy strategies, many of which have shown promise in breast cancer. This review discusses the application of immunotherapy to the treatment of breast cancer.
Recent findings: Both basic science and clinical trial data are rapidly developing in the use of immunotherapy for breast cancer. The current clinical trial landscape includes therapeutic vaccines, immune checkpoint blockade, antibodies, cytokines, and adoptive cell therapy.
Summary: Despite early failures, the application of immunotherapeutic strategies to the treatment of breast cancer holds promise.
Keywords: Breast cancer; Cancer vaccines; Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T); Immune checkpoint; Immunotherapy; Oncolytic viruses.