[Active specific immunotherapy of cancer using anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies].

Innovative approaches to cancer treatment have been made possible today by genetic engineering and hybridoma technologies. In this paper, attention is focused on the use of anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies such as internal tumor-associated antigens. These MoAbs may be able to overcome the immunosuppression in cancer patients by stimulating "silent" clones, or by allowing T cell help to become active, thus enhancing the overall immune response which the nominal antigen is unable to do. Preliminary experiences of active specific immunotherapy with monoclonal antiidiotypic antibodies in cancer patients are reported.