Extracellular matrix dynamics in tumor immunoregulation: from tumor microenvironment to immunotherapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The tumor microenvironment (TME) and its extracellular matrix (ECM) significantly impact tumor progression and immune responses.
• The ECM's components play a dual role in cancer, influencing immune cell behavior and affecting immunotherapy effectiveness.
• Current knowledge gaps exist regarding ECM remodeling's coordination with immunotherapies like immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the interplay between the ECM and tumor immune regulation.
• To highlight how ECM components modulate immune responses.
• To discuss strategies targeting the ECM to enhance cancer immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current findings on ECM-tumor immunity interactions.
• Analysis of ECM's role in immune cell activation, migration, and infiltration.
• Exploration of emerging ECM-targeting strategies for immunotherapy enhancement.

Main Results:

• ECM components critically modulate tumor immunity, affecting immune cell dynamics within the TME.
• ECM remodeling influences the efficacy of immunotherapies such as ICIs and adoptive cell therapies.
• Targeting pathological ECM components presents a promising avenue to improve immunotherapy outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Understanding ECM's role in tumor immunity is crucial for optimizing cancer therapies.
• Strategies that remodel the ECM can improve immune cell infiltration and overcome immune evasion.
• Leveraging ECM-targeted interventions holds potential for enhancing overall cancer immunotherapy efficacy.