Cilengitide targeting of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin receptor synergizes with radioimmunotherapy to increase efficacy and apoptosis in breast cancer xenografts.

Although metastatic breast cancer is responsive to radioimmunotherapy (RIT), a systemic targeted radiation modality, complete and permanent remissions are not typical with single-modality treatment. Antiangiogenic agents, which target normal, proliferating endothelial cells, have the potential to provide relatively nontoxic continuous inhibition of tumor growth by blocking new blood vessel growth and may synergize with RIT to increase efficacy. This study was designed to determine whether, and how, the cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp peptide Cilengitide (EMD 121974), which targets the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin receptor expressed on neovasculature, could increase systemic RIT efficacy of therapy in a human breast cancer tumor model having mutant p53 and expressing bcl-2.

Active vaccination after allogeneic bone marrow cell transplantation: a new option in the immunotherapy of cancer?

The concept of immunotherapy of cancer was evoked more than a century ago by W. Coley. Yet it is only recently that the state of knowledge allows for molecularly defined therapeutic approaches and much effort will still be required to place immunotherapy beside of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation as a fourth option.