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Cancer immunotherapy: present status, future perspective, and a new paradigm of peptide immunotherapeutics
Megan Jo Miller1, Kevin Chu Foy, Pravin T P Kaumaya
1Department of Microbiology, OSU Wexner Medical Center, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and the Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
Abstract:
A promising new era of cancer therapeutics with agents that inhibit specific growth stimulatory pathways is finding a new niche in our armamentarium in the war against cancer. Targeted cancer therapeutics, including humanized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), are amongst the major treatment options for cancer today together with cytotoxic chemotherapies. Targeted therapies are more selective for cancer cells and improve the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing treatment. Many of these drugs have been approved by the FDA, and several more are being studied in clinical trials. Although development of targeted therapeutics has improved cancer treatment significantly, the harsh reality is that the "War on Cancer" still exists. Major challenges still exist with the currently marketed inhibitors, including limitations associated with mAbs and TKIs drug types, acquired mechanisms of drug resistance that cause patient relapse, and tumor heterogeneity. Today, there is an urgent need for the development of novel anti-tumor agents that are cheaper, stable, can selectively target cancer dependent pathways without affecting normal cells, and most importantly, avoid development of resistance mechanisms. Peptide mimics have the potential benefits of being highly selective, stable, cheap, and non-toxic. The focus of this review is to discuss the disadvantages associated with the use of monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. A special emphasis will be placed on efforts taken in our laboratory to 1) design peptide vaccines and therapeutics that target cancer dependent pathways and 2) use a combination approach that will shut down alternative mechanisms that lead to resistance.
Insights
Targeted cancer therapies like monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) show promise but face challenges. Peptide mimics offer a cheaper, more stable, and selective alternative to overcome drug resistance in cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Drug Discovery
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Targeted cancer therapeutics, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), represent a significant advancement over traditional chemotherapy.
- Despite improvements in selectivity and patient quality of life, current targeted therapies face limitations such as drug resistance and tumor heterogeneity.
- The ongoing
- War on Cancer
- necessitates novel anti-tumor agents that are cost-effective, stable, selective, and circumvent resistance mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the disadvantages of current monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
- To explore the potential of peptide mimics as a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
- To highlight laboratory efforts in designing peptide vaccines and therapeutics targeting cancer-specific pathways and overcoming resistance.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on targeted cancer therapies (mAbs and TKIs).
- Discussion of limitations including drug resistance and tumor heterogeneity.
- Presentation of a novel approach using peptide mimics and combination therapies.
Main Results:
- Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have limitations in efficacy and resistance development.
- Peptide mimics demonstrate potential as highly selective, stable, cost-effective, and non-toxic anti-cancer agents.
- Combination approaches targeting multiple pathways can overcome resistance mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Peptide mimics offer a promising alternative to current targeted cancer therapies.
- Further research into peptide-based therapeutics and combination strategies is crucial for advancing cancer treatment.
- Developing novel agents that overcome drug resistance is essential for improving patient outcomes.
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