Immunotherapy

Description

Mechanism of action and clinical status

References

Checkpoint Inhibitors

Drugs that block proteins used by tumors to evade immune detection, such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.

Restore T cell function and enhance the immune response against tumor cells. Nivolumab (PD-1) and atezolizumab (PD-L1) have shown promise in trials.

[7,8]

Prostate Cancer Vaccines

Vaccines are designed to elicit an immune response specifically against prostate cancer cells.

Stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack prostate cancer cells.

Sipuleucel-T is FDA-approved for advanced prostate cancer.

[9,10]

CAR-T Cell Therapy

T cells are genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting prostate cancer antigens.

Enhance T cell recognition and killing of prostate cancer cells.

Under investigation, with early trials showing promise.

[29]

Oncolytic Virus Therapy

Use of genetically modified viruses to selectively infect and kill tumor cells.

Directly lyse tumor cells and stimulate an anti-tumor immune response.

Early phase trials are ongoing, showing potential.

[30,31]

Immune Modulators

Agents that modulate the immune response to enhance anti-tumor activity.

Enhance the overall immune response against prostate cancer.

Agents like Interleukin-2 and various experimental drugs.

 [32]