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Related Concept Videos

Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Cancer Vaccines01:30

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...

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Updated: May 11, 2026

Advances in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing Natural Killer Cells
11:08

Advances in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing Natural Killer Cells

Published on: February 14, 2025

Targeted cancer immunotherapy.

Maya Zigler1, Alexei Shir, Alexander Levitzki

  • 1Unit of Cellular Signaling, Department of Biological Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, Israel.

Current Opinion in Pharmacology
|May 8, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Targeted immunotherapies harness the immune system against cancer but face challenges due to tumor heterogeneity and immune suppression. Future therapies must combine modalities to restore immune surveillance and overcome these obstacles for better cancer treatment.

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Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine
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Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
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Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo

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Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
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Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo

Published on: January 7, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The immune system has a complex role in cancer progression.
  • Targeted immunotherapies aim to leverage the immune system to fight cancer.
  • Current immunotherapies include monoclonal antibodies, immune adjuvants, cell-based therapies, and vaccines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current immunotherapies and their clinical promise.
  • To identify obstacles hindering the efficacy of existing immunotherapies.
  • To propose future directions for next-generation cancer therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature on cancer immunotherapy.
  • Analysis of challenges including tumor heterogeneity, genomic instability, and immune suppression.
  • Discussion of potential combination therapy strategies.

Main Results:

  • Despite advancements, most immunotherapies demonstrate limited efficacy.
  • Tumor intrinsic factors and the tumor microenvironment contribute to immune suppression.
  • Combination therapies are likely necessary to overcome treatment resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Restoring immune surveillance against cancer cells is a key goal.
  • Inhibiting the immune suppressive microenvironment is crucial for therapeutic success.
  • A combination of therapeutic modalities is the most probable strategy for future cancer immunotherapies.