1. Enhancing Immunogenicity in Metastatic Melanoma: Adjuvant Therapies to Promote the Anti-Tumor Immune Response
- Author
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Sandra Pelka and Chandan Guha
- Subjects
melanoma ,immunogenic cell death ,anti-tumor immune response ,damage-associated molecular patterns ,focused ultrasound ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Advanced melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer characterized by low survival rates. Less than 50% of advanced melanoma patients respond to current therapies, and of those patients that do respond, many present with tumor recurrence due to resistance. The immunosuppressive tumor-immune microenvironment (TIME) remains a major obstacle in melanoma therapy. Adjuvant treatment modalities that enhance anti-tumor immune cell function are associated with improved patient response. One potential mechanism to stimulate the anti-tumor immune response is by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumors. ICD leads to the release of damage-associated molecular patterns within the TIME, subsequently promoting antigen presentation and anti-tumor immunity. This review summarizes relevant concepts and mechanisms underlying ICD and introduces the potential of non-ablative low-intensity focused ultrasound (LOFU) as an immune-priming therapy that can be combined with ICD-inducing focal ablative therapies to promote an anti-melanoma immune response.
- Published
- 2023
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