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Therapeutic potential of natural products in cancer immunotherapy: Advances and challenges
Rao Hu1,2,3, Kaibin Dai4, Zhensheng Lin1,2,3
1State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Natural Bioactive Molecules and Discovery of Innovative Drugs, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Immunotherapy has emerged as a clinically pivotal approach in cancer treatment, but its application remains limited to a small subset of patients. Current data indicate that less than 10% of patients respond to mono-immunotherapy, and acquired resistance further restricts its efficacy. Elucidating the mechanisms of non-response and developing strategies to increase therapeutic sensitivity are critical for advancing immunotherapy. Natural products have long played a vital role in anticancer drug discovery because of their structural diversity and demonstrated biological activities. In this review, we provide a systematic classification of immunotherapies and summarize mechanisms associated with treatment resistance. We highlight promising natural products shown to enhance immunotherapeutic efficacy through the modulation of immune resistance pathways and discuss translational challenges hindering the clinical application of natural products, proposing their potential as synergistic agents to overcome current limitations in cancer immunotherapy. Harnessing natural products may thus open new avenues to overcome immune resistance and broaden the therapeutic effects of cancer immunotherapy.
Insights
Natural products show promise in enhancing cancer immunotherapy by overcoming resistance. These compounds can modulate immune resistance pathways, potentially broadening treatment effects for more patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cancer immunotherapy is a vital treatment, but response rates are low (<10%) and acquired resistance limits efficacy.
- Understanding non-response mechanisms and improving sensitivity are crucial for advancing cancer immunotherapy.
- Natural products are valuable in anticancer drug discovery due to diverse structures and biological activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically classify immunotherapies and summarize resistance mechanisms.
- To highlight natural products that enhance immunotherapy efficacy by modulating resistance pathways.
- To discuss challenges and potential of natural products as synergistic agents in cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and systematic classification of immunotherapies.
- Summary of mechanisms underlying resistance to cancer immunotherapy.
- Identification and discussion of natural products with immunomodulatory and anticancer properties.
Main Results:
- Natural products can modulate key immune resistance pathways, thereby enhancing immunotherapy efficacy.
- Several natural products demonstrate potential as synergistic agents to overcome treatment resistance.
- Translational challenges for clinical application of natural products in immunotherapy were identified.
Conclusions:
- Natural products offer a promising strategy to overcome current limitations in cancer immunotherapy.
- Harnessing natural products can broaden the therapeutic effects of immunotherapy and improve patient outcomes.
- Further research into natural products could open new avenues for effective cancer treatment.
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