Cancer Inhibitory Receptors and Related Cancer Immunotherapy

A special issue of Diseases (ISSN 2079-9721). This special issue belongs to the section "Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 660

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
National Cancer Institute, NIH, 1050 Boyles ST, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
Interests: the interaction between ligands and receptors; tumorigenesis; tumor and host immunity
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Guest Editor
Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
Interests: tumorigenesis; signaling pathways; immune system regulatory mechanisms; autoimmunity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
Interests: hematopoietic progenitor cells and tumorigenesis; inflammation and inflammatory cells; endothelial cells and tumor progress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer inhibitory receptors, also known as immune checkpoints, are expressed by natural killer (NK) cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). These receptors regulate NK cell tolerance and T cell function. Inhibitory receptors recognize specific ligands on tumor cells and are frequently exploited by tumors in order to evade immune surveillance and attack. Unlike traditional treatments, immune checkpoint blockade therapy does not target the cancer itself; instead, it releases NK cells and T cells from their inhibition within the tumor microenvironment, enabling them to eliminate cancer cells more effectively. The advent of cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized the landscape of cancer treatment, offering new hope for patients with previously untreatable malignancies. 

This Special Issue, titled "Cancer Inhibitory Receptors and Related Cancer Immunotherapy", will explore the multifaceted roles of inhibitory receptors in cancer biology and treatment. 

In this Special Issue, cutting-edge original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: (1) perspectives that delve into the mechanisms by which cancer cells hijack these pathways, (2) the discovery and identification of new inhibitor receptors, (3) the development of novel inhibitors targeting these receptors, and (4) the clinical outcomes of these interventions.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Cancers.

Dr. Keqiang Chen
Dr. Feng Zhu
Dr. Xin Li
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • cancer inhibitory receptors
  • ligands for inhibitor receptors
  • immune checkpoint inhibitors
  • cancer cells
  • immune cells
  • non-immune cells
  • inhibitor receptor pathways
  • immune checkpoint blockade therapy

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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22 pages, 1241 KiB  
Systematic Review
Safety and Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Cancer: A Systematic Scoping Review
by Ahmed D. Alatawi, Amirah B. Alaqyl, Reema J. Alalawi, Rahaf S. Alqarni, Razan A. Sufyani, Ghadi S. Alqarni, Raghad S. Alqarni, Jumana H. Albalawi, Raghad A. Alsharif, Ghada I. Alatawi, Elaf N. Albalawi, Danah A. Alanazi, Sultanah A. Naitah, Reem Sayad and Helal F. Hetta
Diseases 2025, 13(8), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13080230 - 22 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objective: People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PHIV) are at increased risk for malignancies, yet their access to immunotherapy remains limited due to concerns about safety and efficacy. This systematic scoping review evaluates the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in HIV-associated cancers, [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PHIV) are at increased risk for malignancies, yet their access to immunotherapy remains limited due to concerns about safety and efficacy. This systematic scoping review evaluates the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in HIV-associated cancers, analyzing patient outcomes, safety profiles, and the impact on HIV status. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and Medline, up to January 2025. Studies included assessing the efficacy of ICIs in cancer patients with HIV. The primary outcomes were (a) the efficacy of immune ICIs on prognosis, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes were the immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and the survival rate of cancer patients receiving ICIs. Results: A total of 107 cases from 19 studies published between 2011 and 2024 were reviewed. Responses to programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors varied, with 27.1% achieving partial response, 23.36% experiencing stable disease, and 6.54% achieving complete response, while 34.57% had disease progression. Adverse events, including hematologic and endocrine toxicities, were common but mostly manageable. HIV viral loads remained stable in most cases. Conclusions: PD-1 inhibitors demonstrated potential efficacy in HIV-associated malignancies with a safety profile comparable to the general population. However, disease progression remained a concern, highlighting the need for optimized patient selection. Further well-controlled trials are essential to establish treatment guidelines and ensure equitable access to immunotherapy for PHIV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Inhibitory Receptors and Related Cancer Immunotherapy)
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