Tumor Vasculature as an Emerging Pharmacological Target to Promote Anti-Tumor Immunity

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Abnormal tumor vasculature creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment, leading to immunotherapy resistance.
• Vascular normalization, achieved through anti-angiogenic strategies, reshapes the tumor microenvironment to enhance anti-tumor immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review molecular mechanisms of tumor vascular microenvironment-modulated immune responses.
• To highlight pre-clinical and clinical evidence for combined targeting of pro-angiogenic signaling and immune checkpoints.
• To discuss the role of endothelial cell heterogeneity in tissue-specific immune regulation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of molecular mechanisms.
• Analysis of pre-clinical and clinical study data.
• Discussion of endothelial cell heterogeneity and immune cell crosstalk.

Main Results:

• Tumor vasculature is a viable pharmacological target for promoting anti-tumor immune responses.
• Combined targeting strategies show therapeutic promise.
• Endothelial cell heterogeneity influences tissue-specific immune responses.

Conclusions:

• Vascular normalization is a key strategy to overcome immunotherapy resistance.
• Targeting tumor endothelial cells and their crosstalk with immune cells offers novel immunotherapeutic avenues.
• Understanding tissue-specific signatures in tumor microenvironments is crucial for developing effective cancer treatments.