Immunotherapy in hematologic malignancies: achievements, challenges and future prospects

Abstract

The immune-cell origin of hematologic malignancies provides a unique avenue for the understanding of both the mechanisms of immune responsiveness and immune escape, which has accelerated the progress of immunotherapy. Several categories of immunotherapies have been developed and are being further evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of blood cancers, including stem cell transplantation, immune checkpoint inhibitors, antigen-targeted antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, tumor vaccines, and adoptive cell therapies. These immunotherapies have shown the potential to induce long-term remission in refractory or relapsed patients and have led to a paradigm shift in cancer treatment with great clinical success. Different immunotherapeutic approaches have their advantages but also shortcomings that need to be addressed. To provide clinicians with timely information on these revolutionary therapeutic approaches, the comprehensive review provides historical perspectives on the applications and clinical considerations of the immunotherapy. Here, we first outline the recent advances that have been made in the understanding of the various categories of immunotherapies in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. We further discuss the specific mechanisms of action, summarize the clinical trials and outcomes of immunotherapies in hematologic malignancies, as well as the adverse effects and toxicity management and then provide novel insights into challenges and future directions.

Camouflaging attenuated Salmonella by cryo-shocked macrophages for tumor-targeted therapy

“… 45 To achieve the desired therapeutic effects, traditional cell-based cancer therapies or drug delivery methods require the injection of large quantities of cells (10 6 –10 7 cells in mice or 10 7 –10 8 cells in humans). 46 – 48 This means longer preparation times and higher costs. Immortalized macrophage cell lines, which can proliferate indefinitely and are easy to culture, offer a feasible solution to the problem of cell sourcing.…”

Application of cytogenetic studies to assess relapse in patients after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

“…Another research investigation examined the latest progress in comprehending different types of immunotherapies used to treat blood cancers, such as stem cell transplantation, immune checkpoint inhibitors, antigen-targeted antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, tumour vaccines, and adoptive cell therapies. However, it emphasizes the necessity of cytogenetic studies in the evaluation of early recurrence and treatment [44]. Additionally, other studies have explored the potential for using large-scale genomic analysis in hematological malignancies including identification of somatic changes, treatment potential, and better patient care by comparison with the original model.…”

Harnessing natural killer cells for refractory/relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma: biological roles, clinical trials, and future prospective

“…Among them, 79 therapeutic mAbs, including 30 mAbs for the treatment of hematological malignancies, have received approval from the United States food and drug administration (FDA) and are currently commercially available [ 145 ]. When mAbs bind to their targets, they can kill cancer cells through a variety of mechanisms, including programmed cell death (PCD), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and ADCC [ 146 ]. Among these mechanisms, ADCC is an effective immune mechanism that is triggered when therapeutic mAbs are employed to eliminate cancer cells [ 147 ].…”