Biological approaches to cancer treatment: biomodulation.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Biological approaches to cancer treatment: biomodulation.

Biological Approaches to Cancer Treatment: Biomodulation. Mitchell MS, ed., New York, McGraw-Hill, 591 p., 1993.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/95606862
Anonymous; No affiliation given

Abstract: Biomodulation, the editor's term for biological response modification, extends the range of biological therapy beyond what has been generally considered immunotherapy. It includes in addition, increasing host ability to tolerate cytotoxic treatment, modifying tumor cell membrane characteristics to alter their immunogenicity, metastatic propensity or susceptibility to killing, and preventing or reversing transformation or promoting maturation of the primitive cancer cell. This book comprises 21 chapters in the form of critical reviews by 47 contributors who effectively cover the major areas in this rapidly-developing field. Part one presents fundamental immunology and tumor biology, providing both an overview and chapters on specific topics such as the roles of macrophages and natural killer cells, processing and presentation of tumor-related antigens, antigens recognized by T-cells and monoclonal antibodies, network epitopes, sanctuaries for tumors, and HIV-induced immune dysfunction. Throughout this section, the interactions among the elements of the immune system are stressed. The second part of the book, under the heading of biological therapy, deals with specific practical applications, with emphasis on principles that might lead to future therapeutic approaches. Topics discussed are: therapeutic use of antibodies alone or conjugated with drugs; use of immunotoxins in cancer treatment; imaging and therapy of cancer with specifically targeted radionuclides; use of vaccinia viral lysates in malignant melanoma; active specific therapy of cancer with 'vaccines'; systemic activation of macrophages for eradicating metastases; adoptive cellular immunotherapy; actions of interleukin-2; mechanisms and therapeutic activity of interferons; clinical applications of human growth factors; retinoids; and bone marrow transplantation. Each chapter is extensively referenced, although the long lead time in preparing a book translates into a dearth of citations from the 1990s.

Keywords: Cytokines/THERAPEUTIC USE Growth Substances/THERAPEUTIC USE Human Immunotherapy Immunotoxins Killer Cells, Natural Melanoma/THERAPY Neoplasms/IMMUNOLOGY/*THERAPY Vaccinia Virus MONOGRAPH
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