Figure 3.

Tumor growth rate is a dynamic biological process that is the combined result of cells dying and dividing over time. Cytotoxic therapy reduces tumor burden as long as it is being administered. However, when treatment is terminated, the pretreatment tumor growth rate resumes and the patient succumbs to disease in a predictable manner. A therapeutic cancer vaccine does not decrease tumor burden immediately; however, it can prolong survival by decreasing the tumor growth rate. Combining vaccine with other therapeutics in low tumor burden states can maximize the survival benefit. (Adapted from Madan et al 2010 [92])