Cancer mucosa antigens: novel immunotherapeutic targets

Abstract

Background: Prevention and treatment of human cancer through immunotherapy has been difficult owing to lack of a specific target and poor immunity. It is of no surprise that cancer mucosa antigens (CMAs) may serve as attractive targets for cancer immunotherapy. Objective: To present and discuss the current state of the research on CMAs. Methods: We review the evidence that a number of CMAs have been used to augment immune responses against cancer and that some progress has been made. We envisage future developments toward identifying CMAs and their potential applications to cancer treatment. Results/conclusion: CMAs may reasonably be considered as novel targets for immunotherapy. More investigations should be performed to improve the success of immunotherapy in clinical trials.

Keywords::

• cancer
• immunotherapy
• mucosa antigens
• tumor antigens
• tumor vaccines