New Insights into Cancer Immunotherapy: From Immune Cell to Clinical Practice

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 601

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Translational Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, USA
Interests: cancer immunotherapy; CAR T cell therapy; antitumor immunity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The landscape of cancer immunotherapy is rapidly expanding, driven by advancements in the harnessing of various immune cell types to combat cancer. This Special Issue highlights recent breakthroughs in immunotherapy, encompassing T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and other immune components shaping anti-tumor responses. We welcome studies on engineered immune cell therapies, bispecific immune engagers, immune checkpoint modulation, and novel combination strategies for enhancing therapeutic efficacy and overcoming resistance. Additionally, contributions on tumor microenvironment interactions, mechanisms of immune evasion, and translational research connecting preclinical discoveries to clinical practice are highly encouraged. Through this Special Issue, we seek to provide comprehensive insights into the evolving field of cancer immunotherapy and its impact on patient outcomes.

Dr. Xiaotong Song
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • T cell therapy
  • cancer immunotherapy
  • CAR T cells
  • immune checkpoint modulation
  • tumor microenvironment

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

14 pages, 581 KiB  
Review
CAR-Based Cell Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer: A Comprehensive Review on Clinical Applicability
by Francesco Perri, Margaret Ottaviano, Miriam Tomaciello and Francesca De Felice
Cancers 2025, 17(13), 2215; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17132215 - 1 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is a novel form of adoptive cellular immunotherapy that involves modifying autologous T cells to recognize and target tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) on malignant cells, independent of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction. Although CAR-T therapy has [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is a novel form of adoptive cellular immunotherapy that involves modifying autologous T cells to recognize and target tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) on malignant cells, independent of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction. Although CAR-T therapy has shown remarkable success in treating hematologic malignancies, its efficacy in solid tumors remains limited, largely due to the lack of tumor-specific antigens and the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. This review aims to explore the rationale for continuing the development of adoptive cellular therapies in head and neck cancer (HNC), offering insights into the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with this heterogeneous group of malignancies. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review using the PubMed database to identify relevant studies on the application of CAR-T cell therapy in the management of HNC. Results: HNC presented numerous barriers to CAR-T cell infiltration, primarily due to the unique characteristics of its tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME in HNC is notably immunosuppressive, with a lymphocytic infiltrate predominantly composed of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and natural killer (NK) cells. These immune cells typically exhibit low expression of the CD16 receptor, which plays a crucial role in mediating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), thereby limiting the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy. Conclusions: This comprehensive review suggests a potential clinical applicability of CAR-T therapy in HNC management. Full article
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