Immunogenic anti-cancer chemotherapy as an emerging concept.
Tumors can acquire mutations or hijack regulatory pathways of the host immune system to render them resistant to immune attack. Standard first line therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation were not thought to provoke natural immunity to cancer, but recent findings demonstrating that dying tumor cells present and release key signals to stimulate or evade neighboring leukocytes are challenging that view. Killing tumor cells in a manner that provides danger signals and tumor antigens in the right context promotes the engagement of innate and adaptive immunity; however, this response alone will not be effective against established cancer. Coincidently driving the immune response with specific monoclonal antibodies and other immunomodulators that activate and mature dendritic cells and co-stimulate T cells and other lymphocytes is one approach. Additionally releasing immune checkpoints and inhibiting tumor-derived molecules that prevent effective tumor immunity is another. Combined these approaches have enormous potential to improve the current outcomes from conventional cancer therapy.
Cancer Immunology Program, Sir Donald and Lady Trescowthick Laboratories, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Nicole M
NM
Haynes
Robbert G
RG
van der Most
Richard A
RA
Lake
Mark J
MJ
Smyth
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition