Published online Apr 10, 2017. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v8.i2.145
Peer-review started: September 23, 2016
First decision: October 20, 2016
Revised: November 15, 2016
Accepted: January 16, 2017
Article in press: January 18, 2017
Published online: April 10, 2017
Sarcomas are malignant tumors that are characterized by a wide diversity of subtypes with various cytogenetic profiles. Despite major treatment breakthroughs, standard treatment modalities combining chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery failed to improve overall survival. Therefore, high expectations are foreseen with immunotherapy upon its maturation and better understanding of its mechanism of action. This paper presents a targeted review of the published data and ongoing clinical trials in immunotherapies of sarcomas, mainly adoptive cell therapies, cancer vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Core tip: This paper is a review that outlines the most recent updates on the immunotherapy treatment of sarcomas. After a brief review of the concept of immunotherapies and the different treatment modalities, we discuss the available data, the limitations and future perspectives of each treatment option.