Clinical Pathway of Leukemia Vaccines: Advances and Future Directions

Leukemia, recognized as one of the most complex forms of blood and bone marrow cancers, continues to pose a fundamental challenge in treatment due to high relapse rates, despite significant advancements in therapies such as chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In light of the relative ineffectiveness of existing methods to prevent relapse, novel approaches such as leukemia vaccines have garnered attention as promising tools in the field of immunotherapy. These vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells, potentially leading to substantial improvements in reducing relapse rates and enhancing survival. This review article examines the latest advancements and challenges associated with leukemia vaccines and evaluates the potential of this therapeutic approach for the future. Methods: This review article is based on a systematic examination of published studies in reputable scientific databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science. Searches for relevant articles related to "leukemia vaccines" and "associated antigens" were conducted for the years ۲۰۱۰ to ۲۰۲۳. Selected articles included clinical trials and review studies that assessed the efficacy and challenges of leukemia vaccines. Key results from these studies were extracted and analyzed. Results: Recent studies have demonstrated that leukemia vaccines have the capacity to elicit effective immune responses in patients. Initial research on vaccines based on specific antigens such as WT۱ and BCR-ABL has shown successful activation of T cells in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This has led to an increase in T cells specific to leukemia, resulting in significant improvements in survival and reduced relapse rates. Additionally, dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines have proven effective in patients with minimal residual disease (MRD), where small quantities of leukemia cells remain post-treatment, potentially delaying or preventing relapse. However, some studies have indicated variability in immune response rates and survival improvement among patients, which may be attributable to various factors, including tumor heterogeneity and the patient’s immune status. These discrepancies underscore the need for further research to identify factors influencing immune responses and optimize treatment protocols. Conclusion: Vaccination represents a novel approach to leukemia treatment, demonstrating high potential in activating the immune system to target cancer cells and improve clinical outcomes. Despite significant advancements in this area, notable challenges remain, including tumor heterogeneity and individual differences in treatment response. With ongoing research and the development of personalized vaccines integrated with other novel therapies, there is hope that this therapeutic method will become a cornerstone of future leukemia treatments, enhancing the quality of life and survival for patients afflicted by this aggressive disease.

کلیدواژه ها:

Leukemia ، Leukemia Vaccines ، Personalized Vaccines ، Immune Response