It is clear, however, that the immune response in preventive and therapeutic vaccines differs in fundamental ways.

Therefore, rather than being a passive antibody therapy, Racotumomab acts as a therapeutic vaccine.

Next year, a therapeutic vaccine for malignant melanoma that is as effective as chemotherapy but with none of the side effects could reach the market.

Like monoclonal antibodies, therapeutic vaccines for cancer are, after years of equivocal results, beginning to pay off.

There also is a relatively new type of vaccine, called a "therapeutic vaccine," that is designed to treat people who already have a disease.

These types of vaccines are referred to as "therapeutic" vaccines.

The initiative is working on a line of innovative medicines, including the therapeutic vaccine against lung cancer Racotumomab.

The ideal vaccine strategy would combine a preventive and therapeutic vaccine.

If the tests are successful, Remune would be the first therapeutic vaccine for any disease to work in those already infected.

Experts said the odds were long for Remune's becoming a successful therapeutic vaccine.