Targeting stromal cells to overcome immunotherapy resistance in solid tumors

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Cancer Biology

Background:

• Cancer immunotherapy faces challenges due to primary and acquired resistance in solid tumors.
• Stromal cells, including fibroblasts and adipocytes, actively promote tumor progression and immune evasion.
• These stromal components form physical barriers and immunosuppressive niches, shielding tumors from immune attack.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms by which stromal cells regulate tumor proliferation, metastasis, and immune evasion.
• To explore the dynamic crosstalk between stromal cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.
• To summarize strategies for combining stromal-targeting therapies with immunotherapy to overcome resistance.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies on stromal cell contributions to tumor progression.
• Analysis of mechanisms underlying stromal cell-mediated immune suppression.
• Evaluation of preclinical and clinical data on stromal-targeting therapies in combination with immunotherapy.

Main Results:

• Stromal cells significantly impact tumor growth, metastasis, and immune evasion through diverse mechanisms.
• The interplay between stromal cells and immune cells is crucial for shaping the tumor microenvironment.
• Targeting stromal cells presents a viable approach to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in solid tumors.

Conclusions:

• Stromal cells are key regulators of tumor progression and immune resistance in solid tumors.
• Targeting stromal cells offers a promising strategy to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy.
• Combining stromal-targeting therapies with immunotherapy holds potential for novel and optimized antitumor approaches.