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Targeted Therapies: Immunologic Effects and Potential Applications Outside of Cancer
Anna E Kersh1, Spencer Ng1, Yun Min Chang1,2
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Abstract:
Two pharmacologic approaches that are currently at the forefront of treating advanced cancer are those that center on disrupting critical growth/survival signaling pathways within tumor cells (commonly referred to as "targeted therapies") and those that center on enhancing the capacity of a patient's immune system to mount an antitumor response (immunotherapy). Maximizing responses to both of these approaches requires an understanding of the oncogenic events present in a given patient's tumor and the nature of the tumor-immune microenvironment. Although these 2 modalities were developed and initially used independently, combination regimens are now being tested in clinical trials, underscoring the need to understand how targeted therapies influence immunologic events. Translational studies and preclinical models have demonstrated that targeted therapies can influence immune cell trafficking, the production of and response to chemokines and cytokines, antigen presentation, and other processes relevant to antitumor immunity and immune homeostasis. Moreover, because these and other effects of targeted therapies occur in nonmalignant cells, targeted therapies are being evaluated for use in applications outside of oncology.
Insights
Targeted cancer therapies can modulate the immune system by affecting immune cell trafficking and cytokine production. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing effective combination treatments and exploring new applications for targeted therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Advanced cancer treatment increasingly relies on targeted therapies and immunotherapy.
- Optimizing treatment efficacy necessitates understanding tumor biology and the tumor-immune microenvironment.
- The interplay between targeted therapies and the immune system is a critical area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how targeted therapies influence immunologic events in cancer treatment.
- To understand the mechanisms by which targeted therapies affect antitumor immunity.
- To evaluate the potential of targeted therapies beyond traditional oncology applications.
Main Methods:
- Review of translational studies and preclinical models.
- Analysis of how targeted therapies impact immune cell functions.
- Investigation of targeted therapy effects on immune homeostasis.
Main Results:
- Targeted therapies can alter immune cell trafficking and chemokine/cytokine responses.
- These therapies influence antigen presentation and other antitumor immunity processes.
- Effects of targeted therapies on nonmalignant cells suggest broader applications.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapies significantly impact the tumor-immune microenvironment.
- Understanding these immunomodulatory effects is key for combination therapy development.
- Targeted therapies show promise for applications outside of oncology.
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