Introduction

The realistic prospect of developing a vaccine for the treatment or prevention of colon cancer derives from recent advances in molecular biology and a better understanding of the host–tumour immune response. Although the concept of vaccination is not new, the concept that T-cell responses are critical to achieving tumour rejection, coupled with the identification of novel tumour antigens that contain T-cell-specific epitopes, has led to new strategies in the application of tumour vaccines.

Colon cancer

Cancer of the colon or rectum is one of the most common neoplasms in the Western world. The highest incidence is reported in the United States, but rates are especially high in Australia, New Zealand and areas of northern and western Europe. Estimates suggest that over 131000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States and that about 5% of the population will develop colorectal cancer before the age of 75 years. When diagnosed in its earliest stages colorectal cancer is highly curable with surgical treatment. However, once the disease has spread to regional lymph nodes or elsewhere, the cure rates decrease dramatically. Mortality from advanced disease has remained largely unchanged over the last 50 years with over 56000 deaths annually in the United States. Recent advances in colorectal cancer research have focused on understanding the genetic changes associated with disease progression, defining methods for earlier diagnosis, and improving therapy for advanced disease.