Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Interview: Glycolipid Antigen Presentation by CD1d and the Therapeutic Potential of NKT cell Activation
18:08

Interview: Glycolipid Antigen Presentation by CD1d and the Therapeutic Potential of NKT cell Activation

Published on: December 31, 2007

10.0K

Phenotypic and targeted drug discovery in immune therapeutics: challenges, opportunities, and future directions

Nelson García Vázquez1, Hossam Nada1, Saurabh Upadhyay1

  • 1Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute (MI3), Weill Cornell Medicine New York NY 10065 USA mog4005@med.cornell.edu.

RSC Advances
|August 27, 2025
PubMed

The development of immune therapeutics has revolutionized modern medicine, particularly in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Historically, drug discovery has been guided by two main strategies: phenotypic and target-based approaches. While phenotypic screening has led to the identification of first-in-class therapies, targeted drug discovery has enabled rational drug design based on molecular mechanisms, enhancing precision and therapeutic efficacy. The integration of phenotypic and targeted approaches has been accelerated by advancements in computational modeling, artificial intelligence, and multi-omics technologies, and is reshaping drug discovery pipelines. Herein, key examples of immunomodulatory drugs, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, bispecific antibodies, and small-molecule modulators, are employed to highlight their discovery pathways and mechanisms of action. We also examine emerging hybrid approaches that connect functional and mechanistic insights to accelerate therapeutic development. Leveraging both paradigms, future immune drug discovery will depend on adaptive, integrated workflows that enhance efficacy and overcome resistance.

More Related Videos

A High Throughput MHC II Binding Assay for Quantitative Analysis of Peptide Epitopes07:59

A High Throughput MHC II Binding Assay for Quantitative Analysis of Peptide Epitopes

Published on: March 25, 2014

15.1K
Preparation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Pellets and Plasma from a Single Blood Draw at Clinical Trial Sites for Biomarker Analysis07:40

Preparation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Pellets and Plasma from a Single Blood Draw at Clinical Trial Sites for Biomarker Analysis

Published on: March 20, 2021

17.2K

Related Concept Videos

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
314
Drug Discovery: Overview01:26

Drug Discovery: Overview

Drug discovery is a multifaceted process involving extensive screening, testing, and optimization of lead compounds to identify potential new drugs for therapeutic use. It combines several approaches, including screening large numbers of natural products, chemical modification of known active molecules, identification of new drug targets, and rational design based on biological mechanisms and drug-receptor structure. These approaches are carried out in both academic research laboratories and...
8.7K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.8K
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
660
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
1.9K
Targets for Drug Action: Overview01:26

Targets for Drug Action: Overview

Drugs target macromolecules to modify ongoing cellular processes. Primary drug targets include receptors, ion channels, transporters, and enzymes.
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
7.4K