Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy for Solid Tumors

Shira Gabizon-Peretz1,2, Harriet M Kluger1,3

  • 1Medical Oncology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

Cancer immunotherapy has fundamentally transformed the management of solid tumors, ranging from immune checkpoint blockade to a broader spectrum of immune-modulating strategies. While inhibitors of CTLA-4 and the PD-1/PD-L1 axis remain central to clinical practice, heterogeneous clinical responses, immune-related toxicities, and different resistance mechanisms underscore the need for next-generation approaches. This review integrates recent advances in cancer immunotherapy for solid tumors, with an emphasis on emerging biological concepts and therapeutic platforms that extend beyond classical checkpoint inhibition. We discuss novel immune checkpoints, biomarker-driven approvals, and the expanding role of immunotherapy in different disease settings. Antibody-based platforms are highlighted as strategies that integrate direct tumor targeting with immune activation, which have reshaped standards of care in several malignancies. We further review advances in adoptive cellular therapies as well as next-generation cytokine therapies and cancer vaccines aimed at enhancing tumor-specific immune responses while mitigating systemic toxicity. Finally, we address key unresolved challenges, including mechanisms of resistance, optimization of sequencing and dosing strategies, and clinical trial design considerations. Together, these developments reflect a rapidly evolving field focused on broadening efficacy, improving safety, and personalizing treatment in solid tumors.

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