Recent insights into anti-tumor immunotherapy have led to a wave of clinical trials involving immunotherapy for lung cancer. Vaccines have evolved from nonspecific immune stimulants, like Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), to much more specific and potent strategies, some of which generate active immune responses against tumor-associated antigens. Understanding the mechanisms of anti-tumor immunity and identifying target antigens will likely improve these therapeutic strategies and provide them with a niche in the future of lung cancer therapy.