title: Push and release: TLR9 activation plus STAT3 blockade for systemic antitumor immunity.
abstract: Proper immunostimulation ("push") and immune checkpoint blockade ("release") are both critical for the efficacy of anticancer immunotherapy. We have recently shown that activating Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) while specifically blocking signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in leukemic cells enhances their immunogenicity, allowing for CD8+T cell-mediated tumor eradication. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of such a "Push & Release" strategy against hematological malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Immunotherapeutics & Tumor Immunology; Beckman Research Institute; City of Hope National Medical Center; Duarte, CA USA.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kortylewski
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematopoietic Stem Cell & Leukemia Research; Beckman Research Institute; City of Hope National Medical Center; Duarte, CA USA.
authors.forename: Ya-Huei
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kuo
keywords: STAT3; TLR9; acute myeloid leukemia; cancer immunotherapy; immune checkpoint; immunogenicity; siRNA