Scientific contributions toward successful cancer immunotherapy in The Netherlands

Abstract

This historical overview shows that immunologists and clinicians from The Netherlands have contributed in a major way to better insights in the nature of cancer immunity. This work involved elucidation of the nature of cancer-associated antigens in autologous and allogeneic settings in addition to understanding of the cellular basis of natural immune responses against cancers and of important immune evasion mechanisms. Insight into such basic immunological mechanisms has contributed to the development of innovating therapies.

Keywords: Cancer Immunology; Cancer immunotherapy; Cancer vaccine; Combination treatment; History of immunology; Monoclonal antibody.