Immunomodulators in Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases: Balancing Efficacy and Safety

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, immunomodulatory therapies have revolutionised the treatment of both cancer and autoimmune diseases, conditions which, despite their apparent differences, share a common dysregulation of the immune system. This dysfunction may present either as the failure to eliminate malignant cells or as the inappropriate targeting of healthy tissues. Although these treatments have created new opportunities for clinical benefit by altering immune responses, they have also brought about new difficulties with regard to long-term management, patient selection, and safety.

This Special Issue aims to collect innovative research and expert reviews that investigate the dual role of the immune system, both as a therapeutic target and as a mediator of adverse events. Particular attention is given to recent pharmacological developments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, cytokine-based therapies, and novel small molecules. It will also discuss immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in oncology and the risks associated with immunosuppression in autoimmune disease therapies. Finally, this Special Issue explores shared therapeutic targets and biomarkers across these conditions and considers the expanding role of personalised medicine and pharmacogenomics in tailoring treatments, optimising outcomes, and reducing toxicity.

We invite authors to contribute comprehensive overviews and original research on strategies for properly and safely incorporating the immune system, highlighting the importance of personalised treatments in the rapidly evolving field of immunomodulation.

Dr. Stefania Cheli
Guest Editor

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