| abstract |
The present invention describes a therapeutic approach by which malignant or other diseased tissues are at least partly eliminated or removed by action of the diseased individuals own immune system. Provided that the diseased tissue is a cancer the present invention relates to the field of cancer immunotherapy. The basic principle of the invention relies on the establishment of an immune response in the diseased individual against a selected antigen. This is followed by the transfer of the antigen to the diseased cells of the individual by which the elicited immune response is directed against the diseased cells whereby the diseased tissue is eliminated. The immunogen used to induce the immunological response may be, but is not required to be, identical to the antigen. The immuneresponse may exist prior to treatment due to natural infections or may be established by vaccination or by a combination hereof. However, for some applications the active immune component may be provided from heterologous sources and transferred to the individual undergoing treatment e.g. passive transfer of antibodies obtained from another individual or animal or by means of recombinant technology. |