Tumors can be classified into distinct immunophenotypes based on the presence and arrangement of immune cells in the .
Hot tumors show increased immune activity and are responsive to .
Cold tumors lack immune cell infiltration and are resistant to therapy.
Novel immunologic modulators, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1, may reactivate the immune system.
Transforming cold tumors into hot tumors could promote effective antitumor responses.
Challenges include primary resistance to immunotherapy, autoimmune side effects, and variability in tumor responses.
Simplified
Tumors can be classified into distinct immunophenotypes based on the presence and arrangement of cytotoxic immune cells within the (TME). Hot tumors, characterized by heightened immune activity and responsiveness to (ICIs), stand in stark contrast to cold tumors, which lack immune infiltration and remain resistant to therapy. To overcome immune evasion mechanisms employed by tumor cells, novel immunologic modulators have emerged, particularly ICIs targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1(PD-1/PD-L1). These agents disrupt inhibitory signals and reactivate the immune system, transforming cold tumors into hot ones and promoting effective antitumor responses. However, challenges persist, including primary resistance to immunotherapy, autoimmune side effects, and tumor response heterogeneity. Addressing these challenges requires innovative strategies, deeper mechanistic insights, and a combination of immune interventions to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies. In the landscape of cancer medicine, where immune cold tumors represent a formidable hurdle, understanding the TME and harnessing its potential to reprogram the immune response is paramount. This review sheds light on current advancements and future directions in the quest for more effective and safer cancer treatment strategies, offering hope for patients with immune-resistant tumors.
Full Text
We can’t show the full text here under this license.
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
