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Immunology of Cell Death in Cancer Immunotherapy

Lorenzo Galluzzi1,2,3,4,5, Abhishek D Garg6

  • 1Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.

Cells
|June 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Dying and dead cancer cells significantly impact the tumor microenvironment and anticancer immunity. Understanding these effects is crucial for developing effective cancer immunotherapies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Accumulating evidence over 20 years highlights the immunomodulatory role of dying and dead cancer cells.
  • These cellular remnants profoundly influence the tumor microenvironment (TME).
  • This influence significantly shapes the host's anticancer immune responses.

Discussion:

  • The immunomodulatory effects of cancer cell death are complex and context-dependent.
  • These effects can be both pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic.
  • Key mechanisms involve the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and altered cytokine profiles.

Key Insights:

  • Cancer cell death is not merely a passive event but an active modulator of anti-cancer immunity.
  • The TME's response to dying cancer cells dictates the efficacy of immunotherapies.
  • Targeting cancer cell death pathways offers novel therapeutic strategies.

Outlook:

  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the intricate crosstalk between cancer cell death and immune cells.
  • Harnessing the immunomodulatory potential of cancer cell death could lead to more effective cancer treatments.
  • Developing strategies to control the immunomodulatory consequences of cell death is a promising avenue for cancer immunotherapy.
Keywords:
apoptosisbiomarkersimmune-checkpoint blockersimmuno-oncologyinflammationnecroptosis

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