Abstract

With an average life expectancy of 14 months, Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most aggressive primary brain tumor. Our growing understanding of the immune system and its role in oncogenesis has helped develop cancer vaccines as a promising treatment modality against this disease. What follows is a comprehensive discussion on the history of immunotherapy and the various vaccine based therapies being developed and utilized for the treatment of malignant gliomas.

Keywords: Immunotherapy, Glioma, Vaccines, tumor cells, Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), immunosuppression, central nervous system, CD8+ cells, immune system, HLA molecules