Immunomodulatory Methods

Immunotherapy for treatment of diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) has garnered significant interest, especially since the discovery of the lymphatic circulation and immune cell trafficking. Multiple immunomodulatory methods are under development for neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases of the CNS, but the most active area of study is focused on brain tumors. In this chapter, we provide an overview of immunotherapy strategies while providing a critical assessment of those that hold the most promise. Notably, although most immunotherapy clinical trials have focused on glioblastoma, recent data suggest that other types of CNS malignancies and disorders may be amenable to immune therapeutic strategies, several of which demonstrate promise. However, further investigation is required to overcome the heterogeneity of these tumors and their continuous shift to resistance mechanisms.