Prostate cancer is the most common, non-cutaneous cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the US. A greater understanding of basic immunological principles has led to the development of a variety of new techniques, which in turn has led to advances in the field of prostate cancer vaccines. This review will discuss the rationale for the development of vaccines involving whole tumor cells and dendritic cells, as well as pox viral vectors, and will summarize selected clinical studies that have incorporated these strategies.