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Related Concept Videos

Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

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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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Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

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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...
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Cancer Vaccines01:30

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Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
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Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

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Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
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Cancer Therapies02:49

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Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
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Identifying PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors with Surface Plasmon Resonance Technology
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Small molecule-based immunomodulators for cancer therapy.

Yinrong Wu1, Zichao Yang1, Kui Cheng1

  • 1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.

Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. B
|December 23, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Small molecule cancer immunotherapy offers advantages over antibody-based treatments, improving pharmacokinetics and reducing adverse effects. This review details progress in small molecule immunomodulators targeting key cancer pathways.

Keywords:
AgonistsCancer immunotherapyImmunomodulatorsInhibitorsSmall molecules

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Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized treatment, primarily using antibody-based therapies with good specificity but limitations in pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability.
  • Antibody-based immunotherapies can be immunogenic, leading to adverse effects and limiting their therapeutic potential.
  • Small molecules present a promising alternative, potentially overcoming pharmacokinetic challenges and offering complementary or synergistic effects with antibodies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the progress of small molecule-based cancer immunotherapy.
  • To summarize small molecule immunomodulators targeting key cancer pathways, including inhibitors, agonists, and degraders.
  • To discuss the tumorigenesis mechanisms and clinical trial status of various small molecule targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent advancements in small molecule cancer immunotherapy.
  • Analysis of small molecule modulators targeting PD-1/PD-L1, chemokine receptors, STING, and TLR pathways.
  • Summary of tumorigenesis mechanisms and clinical development of targeted therapies.

Main Results:

  • Small molecule immunomodulators demonstrate potential to overcome limitations of antibody-based therapies.
  • Various small molecules targeting PD-1/PD-L1, STING, TLR, and chemokine receptors are under development.
  • Several small molecule immunomodulators have advanced into clinical trials for cancer treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Small molecule-based immunotherapy is a rapidly developing field with significant therapeutic potential.
  • These agents offer advantages in pharmacokinetics, tissue penetration, and oral bioavailability compared to antibodies.
  • Combination strategies involving small molecules and antibodies may enhance synergistic anti-cancer effects.