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Published on: January 7, 2019
Harnessing the Immune System as a Therapeutic Tool in Virus-Associated Cancers
Rafael Santana-Davila1, Shailender Bhatia1, Laura Q M Chow1
1Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
Importance:
There are at least 7 viruses implicated in the pathogenesis of 10% to 15% of all human cancers worldwide. Despite a high prevalence of infection with these viruses, only a minority of infected individuals develop a subsequent malignant tumor, underscoring the important role that host and environmental factors have in cancer development. This article reviews the mechanisms of viral carcinogenesis, with an emphasis on the viral evasion of the host immune system, and discusses how to harness the immune system effectively as a therapeutic tool in select cancers.
Observations:
Immune evasion mechanisms of these viral infections have an important role in carcinogenesis. Increased understanding of these mechanisms has paved the way for using immunotherapy to treat virus-associated cancers. This study summarizes the use of adoptive cell therapy, tumor vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and combination immunotherapies in the treatment of select virus-associated cancers.
Conclusions And Relevance:
Immunotherapy is proving to be a useful strategy in the treatment of virus-associated cancers. A greater understanding of the processes of immune evasion in chronic infections and malignant tumors will continue to help in the goal of optimizing immunotherapy, which will in turn translate into remission and long-term survival in this patient population.
Insights
Viruses cause 10-15% of human cancers, but host factors determine cancer development. Harnessing the immune system through immunotherapy offers a promising strategy for treating virus-associated cancers and improving patient survival.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Seven viruses are implicated in 10-15% of human cancers globally.
- Viral infections are common, yet only a fraction of infected individuals develop cancer, highlighting host and environmental influences.
- Understanding viral carcinogenesis and immune evasion is crucial for cancer prevention and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of viral carcinogenesis, focusing on viral immune evasion.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential of harnessing the host immune system against virus-associated cancers.
- To summarize current immunotherapeutic strategies for select virus-associated malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on viral carcinogenesis and immune evasion mechanisms.
- Analysis of immunotherapy approaches including adoptive cell therapy, tumor vaccines, and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
- Discussion of combination immunotherapies for virus-associated cancers.
Main Results:
- Viral immune evasion plays a significant role in the development of virus-associated cancers.
- Advances in understanding immune evasion have enabled the development of immunotherapies.
- Adoptive cell therapy, tumor vaccines, and immune checkpoint inhibitors are being utilized in treating select virus-associated cancers.
Conclusions:
- Immunotherapy is an effective treatment strategy for virus-associated cancers.
- Further research into immune evasion mechanisms in chronic infections and tumors will optimize immunotherapy.
- Optimized immunotherapy holds the potential for achieving remission and long-term survival in patients with virus-associated cancers.
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