Targeting oncogenic signal pathway to improve cancer immunotherapy: Insights and perspectives

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized treatment but faces challenges with patient response and resistance.
• Dysregulated oncogenic signaling pathways promote tumor immune evasion and create an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, leading to immunotherapy resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in understanding oncogenic signaling's role in tumor immune evasion and cold tumor formation.
• To summarize mechanisms by which targeting oncogenic pathways enhances anti-tumor immunity and immunotherapy efficacy.
• To discuss therapeutic targets, agents, drug-target binding mechanisms, and clinical trials combining oncogenic pathway inhibitors with immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent research on oncogenic signaling pathways and cancer immunotherapy.
• Analysis of mechanisms linking oncogenic signaling to immune evasion and immunotherapy resistance.
• Summary of therapeutic strategies, drug targets, and clinical trial data.

Main Results:

• Targeting oncogenic pathways can convert immunosuppressive 'cold' tumors into immune-responsive 'hot' tumors.
• Inhibiting oncogenic signaling enhances anti-tumor immune responses, improving immunotherapy outcomes.
• Combinations of oncogenic pathway inhibitors and immunotherapy show promise in clinical trials.

Conclusions:

• Targeting oncogenic signaling pathways is a viable strategy to overcome cancer immunotherapy resistance.
• Further research is needed to address challenges and explore future directions in this therapeutic combination.