Understanding the Crosstalk Between Immune Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer and Its Implications for Immunotherapy

Understanding the Crosstalk Between Immune Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer and Its Implications for Immunotherapy
Author: Noha Mousaad Elemam
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Total Pages: 144
Release: 2023-09-13
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 2832534929

One of the current challenges and failures of immunotherapy is in part due to the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) that provides a formidable barrier to immune infiltration and function. The TME consists of various cell types (tumor cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells), soluble signaling molecules (cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines), and extracellular matrix. On another note, metabolic disturbances in various TME components, such as hypoxia, acidosis, lactate accumulation, and nutrient deprivation, can play a critical role in the tumor progression. Furthermore, genetic and epigenetic dysfunctions are known to be part of the characteristics of cancer development. The immune cells could have a pro- or anti-tumor role in the TME, and their activity might vary in the context of different cancers. Both innate and adaptive immune cells interact with tumor cells through direct contact or through chemokines and cytokines signaling, shaping the tumor's activity and response to therapy.

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Cancer

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Cancer
Author: David Escors
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 109
Release: 2016-03-15
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 331926821X

The book starts with an introduction to and history of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), followed by a description of their differentiation, their role in the tumour microenvironment and their therapeutic targeting. It closes with an outlook on future developments. In cancer patients, myelopoiesis is perturbed and instead of generating immunogenic myeloid cells (such as dendritic cells, inflammatory macrophages and granulocytes), there is an increase in highly immature MDSCs. These cells are distributed systemically, resulting in general immunosuppression. They also infiltrate tumours, promoting their progression and metastasis by inhibiting the natural anti-tumour immune response. As these cells also interact with classical anti-neoplastic treatments, they have become major therapeutic targets in the pharmaceutical industry and in oncology research.

Cancer Immunotherapy

Cancer Immunotherapy
Author: Saul J. Priceman
Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters
Total Pages: 33
Release: 2013-06-04
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0128059222

Tumor-associated immune cells, in particular myeloid cells, have opposing roles during cancer development by facilitating antitumor immune responses and driving cancer-promoting inflammation. Defective antitumor immunity is prevalent in cancers, and it is now clear that overcoming the myeloid cell-mediated immunosuppressive microenvironment poses tremendous interest for future cancer therapies. JAK/STAT signaling has come to the forefront as a crucial pathway to induce immunosuppression and procancer inflammation. Specifically, STAT3 activation is critical for the phenotype of myeloid cells by regulating immunosuppressive and prometastatic factors, thereby providing myeloid cells with a multitude of tumor-promoting functions. Genetic ablation of STAT3 in the myeloid compartment induces potent innate and adaptive antitumor immunity along with an inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis. Recently, therapeutic targeting of JAK/STAT3 has shown great promise in blocking immunosuppression in preclinical models. One such example is the use of novel siRNA to selectively target STAT3 in myeloid cells, through conjugation to CpG oligonucleotides that agonize Toll receptor TLR9 on myeloid cells. Along with other novel therapeutic strategies to inhibit JAK/STAT signaling, it seems likely that future efforts to target this pathway will be made in single and combination approaches for effective anticancer immunotherapy.

NK Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy: Successes and Challenges

NK Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy: Successes and Challenges
Author: Anahid Jewett
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 496
Release: 2022-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0128226269

NK Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy: Successes and Challenges explains the latest immunotherapeutic strategies, focusing on NK cells to allow the best and precise combination treatments to cancer patients. The book provides existing background knowledge in the field of immunotherapy and discusses future areas of research required to carry out cutting-edge, validated therapies. Chapters cover advances in immunotherapeutic strategies, in particular, the use of NK cells with and without T-cell therapy in the treatment of cancer. The book is a valuable resource for cancer researchers, oncologists, graduate students and those interested in learning more about novel strategies to treat cancer patients. Immunotherapy is fast becoming the method of choice for cancer therapy. Although remarkable advances have been made in the field of immunotherapy, there are significant challenges and difficulties ahead since many of the current immunotherapeutic strategies do not provide long-lasting treatment strategies, and therefore are not very effective. Covers CAR/T and CAR/NK and adoptive NK cell therapy with and without T cell therapies Discusses basic biology of NK cells and mouse models of human cancers and the role of NK cells in metastatic cancer and in cancer stem cells Encompasses information on combination therapies using check point inhibition, adoptive transfer of cytotoxic effector cells, chemotherapeutic drugs and activating and inhibitory antibodies

Tumor Microenvironment

Tumor Microenvironment
Author: Alexander Birbrair
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 153
Release: 2020-02-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3030357236

Revealing essential roles of the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression, this book focuses on the role of hematopoietic components of the tumor microenvironment. Further, it teaches readers about the roles of distinct constituents of the tumor microenvironment and how they affect cancer development. Topics include neutrophils, basophils, T helper cells, cytotoxic lymphocytes, fibrocytes, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and more. Taken alongside its companion volumes, these books update us on what we know about various aspects of the tumor microenvironment as well as future directions. Tumor Microenvironment: Hematopoietic Cells – Part A is essential reading for advanced cell biology and cancer biology students as well as researchers seeking an update on research in the tumor microenvironment.

Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Cancer Progression and Cancer Therapy

Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Cancer Progression and Cancer Therapy
Author: Pawel Kalinski
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 271
Release: 2017-12-22
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 331967577X

The tumor microenvironment has become a very important and hot topic in cancer research within the past few years. The tumor microenvironment is defined as the normal cells, molecules, and blood vessels that surround and feed a tumor cell. As many scientists have realized, studying the tumor microenvironment has become critical to moving the field forward, since there are many players in a tumor’s localized and surrounding area, which can significantly change cancer cell behavior. There is a dual relationship wherein the tumor can change its microenvironment and the microenvironment can affect how a tumor grows and spreads. Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer Progression and Cancer Therapy aims to shed light on the mechanisms, factors, and mediators that are involved in the cancer cell environment. Recent studies have demonstrated that in addition to promoting tumor progression and protecting tumor cells from the spontaneous immune-mediated rejection and different forms of cancer therapeutics, tumor microenvironment can also be a target and mediator of both standard and newly-emerging forms of cancer therapeutics. Thus, the dual role of the tumor microenvironment is the integral focus of the volume. The volume highlights the bi-directional interactions between tumor cells and non-malignant tumor component during tumor progression and treatment. It also focuses on the three groups of the reactive tumor component: stromal cells, blood vessels and the infiltrating immune cells. These three groups are discussed under the lens of their role in promoting tumor growth, shielding the tumor from rejection and from standard forms of cancer therapies. They are emerging as targets and mediators of standard and new forms of potential therapy.

Critical Issues in Head and Neck Oncology

Critical Issues in Head and Neck Oncology
Author: Jan B. Vermorken
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 361
Release: 2023-03-27
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 3031231759

This is an open access book. With a wealth of exciting data emerging in this rapidly evolving field this book will review the state-of-the-art knowledge with emphasis on multidisciplinary decision and management of head and neck cancer. The book provides significant detail on a wide range of topics including: the role of new targets for treatment, immunotherapy, resistance mechanisms, standardizing molecular profiling programs, and new methods to guide therapeutic approaches. In addition different disease situations are addressed including different treatment approaches in primary disease and in recurrent and/or metastatic disease as well as new developments in pathology, surgery and reconstruction techniques, new systemic therapies in salivary gland cancer, and supportive care and follow-up. All disciplines involved in the treatment of head & neck cancer are covered with a focus on translation into daily practice. The 8th-THNO is designed for medical oncologists, head and neck surgeons, radiation oncologists, otolaryngologists, and other medical professionals involved in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer.