Evdokimova VN, Butterfield LH. Alpha-fetoprotein and other tumour-associated antigens for immunotherapy of hepatocellular cancer.
Expert Opin Biol Ther 2008;
8:325-36. [PMID:
18294103 DOI:
10.1517/14712598.8.3.325]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer death, with few treatment options for advanced disease.
OBJECTIVES
Here, we review the aetiology of HCC and focus on recent data on tumour-associated antigens (TAA) for HCC, their functions and potential use as immunological targets for immune-based therapy for HCC. In addition, we examine some aspects of antigen presentation within the liver.
RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS
alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) has been investigated for many years as a TAA, and has been tested in recent clinical trials. More recently, additional TAA have been identified and new therapeutic approaches have been investigated which may be testable clinically in this difficult disease setting.
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