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Therapeutics targeting tumor immune escape: towards the development of new generation anticancer vaccines
Simone Mocellin1, Donato Nitti
1Department of Oncological & Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, via Giustianiani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy. simone.mocellin@unipd.it
Abstract:
Despite the evidence that immune effectors can play a significant role in controlling tumor growth under natural conditions or in response to therapeutic manipulation, it is clear that malignant cells evade immune surveillance in most cases. Considering that anticancer vaccination has reached a plateau of results and currently no vaccination regimen is indicated as a standard anticancer therapy, the dissection of the molecular events underlying tumor immune escape is the necessary condition to make anticancer vaccines a therapeutic weapon effective enough to be implemented in the routine clinical setting. Recent years have witnessed significant advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor immune escape. These mechanistic insights are fostering the development of rationally designed therapeutics aimed at reverting the immunosuppressive circuits that undermine an effective antitumor immune response. In this review, the best characterized mechanisms that allow cancer cells to evade immune surveillance are overviewed and the most debated controversies constellating this complex field are highlighted. In addition, the latest therapeutic strategies devised to overcome tumor immune escape are described, with special regard to those entering clinical phase investigation.
Insights
Cancer cells evade immune surveillance, hindering effective anticancer vaccines. Understanding tumor immune escape mechanisms is crucial for developing new cancer immunotherapies and improving treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Immune effectors can control tumor growth, but cancer cells frequently evade immune surveillance.
- Current anticancer vaccination strategies have limitations and are not standard therapies.
- Understanding tumor immune escape is vital for advancing cancer vaccines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review characterized mechanisms of tumor immune escape.
- To highlight controversies in the field of tumor immune escape.
- To describe emerging therapeutic strategies to overcome immune escape.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of molecular mechanisms of tumor immune escape.
- Analysis of current and emerging therapeutic strategies.
- Discussion of controversies and clinical advancements.
Main Results:
- Detailed overview of established mechanisms by which cancer cells evade immune surveillance.
- Identification of key controversies and ongoing debates in tumor immune escape research.
- Description of novel therapeutic strategies targeting immunosuppressive circuits.
Conclusions:
- Elucidating tumor immune escape mechanisms is essential for developing effective anticancer vaccines.
- New therapeutic strategies are being developed to revert immunosuppression and enhance antitumor immunity.
- Advances in understanding immune escape are paving the way for clinical translation of novel immunotherapies.
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