Targeting the Interplay of Independent Cellular Pathways and Immunity: A Challenge in Cancer Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that exploits the capacity of the body's immune system to prevent, control, and remove cancer. Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment and significantly improved patient outcomes for several tumor types. However, most patients have not benefited from such therapies yet. Within the field of cancer immunotherapy, an expansion of the combination strategy that targets independent cellular pathways that can work synergistically is predicted. Here, we review some consequences of tumor cell death and increased immune system engagement in the modulation of oxidative stress and ubiquitin ligase pathways. We also indicate combinations of cancer immunotherapies and immunomodulatory targets. Additionally, we discuss imaging techniques, which are crucial for monitoring tumor responses during treatment and the immunotherapy side effects. Finally, the major outstanding questions are also presented, and directions for future research are described.

Automated summary

Immunotherapy uses the body's immune system to fight against cancer, and it has greatly improved patient outcomes for several types of tumors. However, many patients have not yet benefited from this treatment. Combination strategies targeting different cellular pathways are predicted to play a key role in cancer immunotherapy. This review discusses the effects of tumor cell death and immune system engagement on oxidative stress and ubiquitin ligase pathways, as well as combinations of immunotherapies and immunomodulatory targets. The importance of imaging techniques for monitoring tumor responses and side effects is also highlighted.