Human models for cancer active immunotherapy.

Abstract

In this editorial, the author considers the human models for research on cancer immunotherapy. He distinguishes between trials which have given a direct demonstration of the action of immunotherapy, in which the effect of this treatment has been compared to therapeutic abstention, and those which have shown an indirect proof of its action and in which immunotherapy is compared to chemotherapy of which the effect is known, or in which the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy is compared with the same chemotherapy applied alone. The author concludes with methodological and ethical considerations about clinical trials applied to active immunotherapy.