Prognostic biomarkers of dendritic cell vaccines in glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most prevalent and aggressive primary brain tumors, characterized by poor prognosis and treatment-resistant growth. Despite many advances in cancer therapies in the past decades, survival and tumor management remain largely unchanged. Of particular interest in recent years has been dendritic cell (DC) vaccines, a method that aims to stoke an immune response in an inappropriately tolerant system. Clinical trials increasingly employ immune biomarkers, such as peripheral blood counts and interferon levels, in this immunologically complex condition to assess treatment effects. Recent studies investigating prognostic factors influencing response to dendritic cell vaccines may help to determine which patients will benefit most from this therapy. This narrative review examines the literature concerning survival response to dendritic cell vaccines and its relation to immune response, highlighting recent insights into how DC vaccines affect immune pathways to improve patient outcomes.