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Advances and challenges in cancer immunoprevention and immune interception
Sasha E Stanton1, Philip E Castle2,3, Olivera J Finn4
1Cancer Immunoprevention Laboratory, Earle A Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA Sasha.Stanton@providence.org.
Abstract:
Invasive cancers typically evade immune surveillance through profound local and systemic immunosuppression, preventing their elimination or control. Targeting immune interventions to prevent or intercept premalignant lesions, before significant immune dysregulation has occurred, may be a more successful strategy. The field of cancer immune interception and prevention is nascent, and the scientific community has been slow to embrace this potentially most rational approach to reducing the global burden of cancer. This may change due to recent promising advances in cancer immunoprevention including the use of vaccines for the prevention of viral cancers, the use of cancer-associated antigen vaccines in the setting of precancers, and the development of cancer-preventative vaccines for high-risk individuals who are healthy but carry cancer-associated heritable genetic mutations. Furthermore, there is increasing recognition of the importance of cancer prevention and interception by national cancer organizations. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recently released the National Cancer Plan, which includes cancer prevention among the top priorities of the institute. The NCI's Division of Cancer Prevention has been introducing new funding opportunities for scientists with an interest in the field of cancer prevention: The Cancer Prevention-Interception Targeted Agent Discovery Program and The Cancer Immunoprevention Network. Moreover, the Human Tumor Atlas Network is spearheading the development of a precancer atlas to better understand the biology of pre-invasive changes, including the tissue microenvironment and the underlying genetics that drive carcinogenesis. These data will inform the development of novel immunoprevention/immuno-interception strategies. International cancer foundations have also started recognizing immunoprevention and immune interception with the American Association for Cancer Research, Cancer Research UK and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer each implementing programming focused on this area. This review will present recent advances, opportunities, and challenges in the emerging field of cancer immune prevention and immune interception.
Insights
Targeting cancer early through immune interception and prevention offers a promising strategy to combat invasive cancers. This emerging field leverages vaccines and targeted agents to intercept premalignant lesions before significant immune suppression occurs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Prevention
Background:
- Invasive cancers evade immune surveillance via immunosuppression, hindering elimination.
- Early intervention before immune dysregulation is a potentially more successful strategy.
- Cancer immune interception and prevention is an emerging field with growing recognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in cancer immune prevention and interception.
- To highlight opportunities and challenges in this nascent field.
- To discuss the rationale for targeting premalignant lesions.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on cancer immunoprevention and immune interception.
- Analysis of recent developments in vaccines and targeted agents.
- Examination of initiatives by national and international cancer organizations.
Main Results:
- Promising advances include vaccines for viral cancers and precancers, and preventative vaccines for high-risk individuals.
- National Cancer Institute and international foundations are prioritizing cancer prevention and interception.
- Development of a precancer atlas aims to elucidate early carcinogenesis for novel strategies.
Conclusions:
- Cancer immune interception and prevention represents a rational approach to reducing cancer burden.
- Increased funding and research initiatives are supporting this field.
- Further understanding of precancerous biology is crucial for developing effective strategies.
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