Strategies for Heating Up Cold Tumors to Boost Immunotherapies

Immune checkpoint inhibitors induce significant and durable treatment responses in about 20% of all cancers, but many patients have natural resistance to current immunotherapies. The past decade of technological advances has resulted in large-scale profiling of many cancers and their tumor microenvironments, rapidly expanding our understanding of the mechanisms utilized by tumors to create immune-resistant microenvironments. In this review, we discuss key factors that create immune resistance and emerging concepts that are redefining how we view immune resistance, as well as highlight novel strategies that aim to convert immune-resistant into immune-sensitive tumors.

Automated summary

Immune checkpoint inhibitors can achieve significant and lasting treatment responses in around 20% of all cancers, but there is a natural resistance in many patients to current immunotherapies. Technological advancements in the past decade have allowed for the profiling of numerous cancers and their tumor microenvironments, which has significantly improved our understanding of the mechanisms tumors use to create immune-resistant microenvironments. This review discusses the key factors that contribute to immune resistance, introduces emerging concepts that reshape our understanding of immune resistance, and highlights novel strategies that aim to convert immune-resistant tumors into immune-sensitive ones.