Normalization of the tumor microenvironment by harnessing vascular and immune modulation to achieve enhanced cancer
Yechan Choi1, Keehoon Jung2,3,4
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Solid tumors are complex entities that actively shape their microenvironment to create a supportive environment for their own growth. Angiogenesis and immune suppression are two key characteristics of this tumor microenvironment. Despite attempts to deplete tumor blood vessels using antiangiogenic drugs, extensive vessel pruning has shown limited efficacy. Instead, a targeted approach involving the judicious use of drugs at specific time points can normalize the function and structure of tumor vessels, leading to improved outcomes when combined with other anticancer therapies. Additionally, normalizing the immune microenvironment by suppressing immunosuppressive cells and activating immunostimulatory cells has shown promise in suppressing tumor growth and improving overall survival. Based on these findings, many studies have been conducted to normalize each component of the tumor microenvironment, leading to the development of a variety of strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of the concepts of vascular and immune normalization and discuss some of the strategies employed to achieve these goals.
Insights
Tumor microenvironment normalization, focusing on vascular and immune systems, offers a promising strategy. Targeted therapies can improve outcomes by normalizing tumor vessels and immune cells, enhancing cancer treatment efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Solid tumors create a supportive microenvironment through angiogenesis and immune suppression.
- Antiangiogenic drugs have shown limited efficacy in depleting tumor vasculature.
- Modulating the tumor microenvironment is crucial for effective cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the concepts of vascular and immune normalization in the tumor microenvironment.
- To discuss strategies for achieving vascular and immune normalization.
- To highlight the potential of normalization approaches in cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on tumor microenvironment normalization.
- Analysis of strategies targeting vascular normalization.
- Analysis of strategies targeting immune normalization.
Main Results:
- Vascular normalization, not vessel pruning, improves outcomes when combined with other therapies.
- Immune normalization involves suppressing immunosuppressive cells and activating immunostimulatory cells.
- Normalization strategies show promise in suppressing tumor growth and improving survival.
Conclusions:
- Vascular and immune normalization are key strategies for overcoming tumor-induced immunosuppression and abnormal vasculature.
- Targeted normalization approaches can enhance the efficacy of existing anticancer therapies.
- Further research into normalization strategies holds significant potential for improving cancer patient outcomes.
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