Are monocytes a preferable option to develop myeloid cell-based therapies for solid tumors?

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunotherapy
• Cell-based therapy

Background:

• T and NK cell therapies are limited in solid tumors due to poor trafficking and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments.
• Myeloid cells, including monocytes, naturally infiltrate tumors, offering potential for engineered therapies.
• Monocyte-based therapies are underutilized compared to macrophages or stem cell transplantation for solid tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the benefits and improvements of using monocytes for solid tumor treatment.
• To discuss current clinical applications of monocyte-based therapies.
• To identify challenges and potential strategies for monocyte therapy in solid tumors.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent advancements in monocyte-based cell therapies.
• Analysis of studies focusing on monocyte trafficking and effector functions in solid tumors.
• Examination of clinical trial data and preclinical research on monocytes for cancer treatment.

Main Results:

• Monocytes possess inherent tumor-homing capabilities, making them suitable for solid tumor targeting.
• Reprogrammed or engineered monocytes can directly attack tumor cells or deliver therapeutic payloads.
• Monocyte-based therapies offer a promising alternative to T and NK cell therapies for solid tumors.

Conclusions:

• Monocytes represent a promising cell type for developing novel immunotherapies against solid tumors.
• Further research and clinical development are needed to overcome challenges and optimize monocyte-based treatment strategies.
• Adoptive monocyte transfer warrants greater consideration in the therapeutic landscape for difficult-to-treat solid tumors.