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Tumor Immunotherapy

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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine

Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine

Published on: February 24, 2023

Small-Molecule Targets in Tumor Immunotherapy.

Hui-Fang Zhu^1,2, Yan Li³

¹State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

|July 6, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Cancer immunotherapy shows promise, but antibody limitations drive research into small-molecule drugs. Natural products offer potential for new cancer treatments by targeting intracellular pathways.

Keywords:

Cancer immunotherapy IDO1 NKG2DL PD(L)-1 STING TLRs

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Preparation of Tumor Antigen-loaded Mature Dendritic Cells for Immunotherapy

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Published on: August 1, 2013

Area of Science:

Oncology
Immunology
Pharmacology

Background:

Cancer immunotherapy is a significant therapeutic strategy, with numerous ongoing clinical trials.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4 have shown clinical success but face limitations.
These limitations include immunogenicity, stability, membrane permeability, and high production costs associated with antibody-based therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the potential of small-molecule therapeutics in cancer immunotherapy.
To explore intracellular pathways amenable to small-molecule intervention.
To highlight the role of natural products in developing novel small-molecule immunotherapies.

Main Methods:

Literature review of current cancer immunotherapy approaches.
Analysis of small-molecule drug development in the context of immune checkpoints.
Focus on intracellular signaling pathways targeted by small molecules.
Evaluation of natural products as sources for small-molecule immunomodulators.

Main Results:

Small-molecule therapeutics present an alternative to antibody-based immunotherapies.
Intracellular pathways offer promising targets for small-molecule drug development.
Natural products possess significant potential for the discovery of novel small-molecule immunomodulators.

Conclusions:

Small-molecule drugs offer advantages over antibodies for cancer immunotherapy.
Targeting intracellular pathways with small molecules is a viable strategy.
Natural products represent a valuable resource for developing next-generation cancer immunotherapies.