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Future of immune therapy?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from Adrian: Dr. Robert, there seem to be a few trials at this time looking at immune therapy for breast cancer and other cancers. What might be expected within the next few years in terms of immune therapy, such as the recent approval of the vaccine against HPV as prevention for cervical cancer? Is there data to suggest that the body can be trained to recognize breast cancer cells and eliminate or kill them?
Answer —Nicholas Robert, M.D.: The idea of using the immune system to fight cancer is very attractive. Our immune system helps us fight infections, so why can't it help us fight cancer? Unfortunately, after decades of trying to use an immune approach in breast cancer, this has still not been a successful strategy. Nonetheless, people are still exploring this approach with vaccines. The major challenge is that cancer cells, although different from our normal cells, from an immune point of view are really not that different, making it very challenging to develop a successful immune approach. There are a number of vaccine studies in breast cancer, including vaccine for HER2-positive tumors. I think we will need to wait for the results of these before we can say much more. Lastly, a very positive story in vaccines in HPV, a cause of cervical cancer. The vaccine was directed against the virus, not against human cells.

On Wednesday, June 21, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting. Nicholas Robert, M.D. and moderator Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. answered your questions about recent advances in breast cancer treatment, updates on breast cancer genetics, information on diet and risk of recurrence, and more.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Nicholas Robert, M.D.Nicholas Robert, M.D. is a co-chair of the Breast Committee of the U.S. Oncology Research Network and also chairs the Cancer Committee and Research Committee of the Inova Fairfax Hospital's Cancer Center. 

Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, with a a special interest in cancer survivorship, patient-physician communication, and quality of care for women with breast cancer.

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