Dendritic cell (DC) immunotherapy is emerging as a potential addition to the standard of care in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In the last decade or so various research groups have conducted phase I and II trials of DC-immunotherapy on patients with newly diagnosed (ND) and recurrent GBM and other high-grade gliomas in an attempt to improve the poor prognosis. Results show an increase in overall survival (OS), while vaccination-related side effects are invariably mild. Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A. (NWBT) developed the DCVax®-L vaccine as an adjunct to the treatment of GBM. It is currently under evaluation in a phase III trial in patients with ND-GBM, which is the only ongoing trial of its kind. In this review current data and perspectives of this product are examined.
Keywords: BBB, blood brain barrier; CNS, central nervous system; CTL, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte; DC, dendritic cell; DCVax®-L; DTH, delayed tissue hypersensitivity; EORTC, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; GBM, glioblastoma multiforme; GM-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; HGG, high-grade glioma; IL-4, interleukin-4; IMP, investigational medicinal product; MHRA, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; ND, newly diagnosed; NIHR, National Institute for Health Research; NWBT, Northwest Biotherapeutics Inc.; OS, overall survival; PEI, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute; PFS, progression-free survival; TAAs, tumor-associated antigens; UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, U.S.A., United States of America; dendritic cells; glioblastoma multiforme; immunotherapy; overall survival; side effects; vaccine.