Targeting STAT3 in Cancer Immunotherapy

Sailan Zou1, Qiyu Tong1, Bowen Liu2

  • 1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.

Molecular Cancer
|September 25, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is crucial in cancer immune evasion. Targeting STAT3 offers a promising therapeutic strategy for developing more effective cancer treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a key regulator of the anti-tumor immune response.
  • STAT3 hyperactivation in cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment promotes immunosuppression.
  • Targeting STAT3 is a promising strategy for cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of STAT3 signaling in tumorigenesis and immune regulation.
  • To highlight the current development of STAT3-targeting therapeutics.
  • To discuss recent advances in STAT3-based combination immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of STAT3 signaling in cancer.
  • Analysis of current STAT3-targeting therapeutic approaches.
  • Summary of STAT3-based combination immunotherapy strategies.

Main Results:

  • STAT3 plays a central role in inhibiting immune activation and promoting immunosuppression in cancer.
  • Various STAT3-targeting agents are under development.
  • Combination immunotherapies involving STAT3 inhibition show promise.

Conclusions:

  • STAT3 signaling is a critical target for overcoming cancer immune evasion.
  • STAT3-based therapies, particularly in combination, offer potential for improved cancer treatment outcomes.
  • Further research into translational applications of STAT3 is warranted.

Related Concept Videos

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...
8.4K
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.
1.3K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.5K
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
11.0K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
4.9K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.0K