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Vaccines
Special Issues
Cancer Immunotherapy: Therapeutics and Mechanisms
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Cancer Immunotherapy: Therapeutics and Mechanisms

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 July 2024) | Viewed by 15534

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jenny Bulgarelli

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Guest Editor
IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori" S.r.l., Via Piero Maroncelli, 40, 47014 Meldola, FC, Italy
Interests: immunotherapy; melanoma; immunology; immunomonitoring; T cell response; tumor microenvironment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sara Pignatta

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Guest Editor
IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori" S.r.l., Via Piero Maroncelli, 40, 47014 Meldola, FC, Italy
Interests: immunotherapy; ATMP advanced therapy medicinal products; dendritic cell vaccine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Cancer immunotherapy has now revolutionized the field of oncology by prolonging the survival of patients. Novel treatment combinations and newly identified druggable targets will only expand the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer in the decades to come. 

In this Special Issue, our focus is on anti-cancer immunotherapies and mechanisms of action of new immunotherapy combinations, especially those including cell therapy products.

There is an urgent need to find molecular and cellular predictive and prognostic biomarkers which can be integrated with clinical pathological and imaging data to improve the prediction of both cancer progression and the response to immunotherapy for the right patient at the right time.

This Special Issue will include (but is not limited to) original research and review articles on the following topics:

  • Anti-cancer vaccine development and efficacy evaluation;
  • Immunotherapies, adjuvants and immunomodulators;
  • Cell therapy developments and mechanisms of action;
  • Immunology mechanisms;
  • Immune response to immunotherapies.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Cancers.

Dr. Jenny Bulgarelli
Dr. Sara Pignatta
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cancer immunotherapies
  • cell therapies
  • immuno-oncology
  • immune response
  • immunological biomarkers
  • immunomodulation
  • tumor microenvironment
  • translational biology

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

3 pages, 176 KiB  
Editorial
The Renewal of Cancer Immunotherapy
by Jenny Bulgarelli, Sara Pignatta, Massimiliano Petrini and Laura Ridolfi
Vaccines 2023, 11(3), 592; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11030592 - 4 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2161
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy embraces many current, promising therapeutic approaches to eradicate tumors by activating host antitumor activity [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy: Therapeutics and Mechanisms)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

12 pages, 2022 KiB  
Article
Developing Effective Cancer Vaccines Using Rendered-Inactive Tumor Cells
by Shushu Zhao, Shuting Wu, Sheng Jiang, Gan Zhao and Bin Wang
Vaccines 2023, 11(8), 1330; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11081330 - 5 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2266
Abstract
Cancer is a major public health threat, and researchers are constantly looking for new ways to develop effective treatments. One approach is the use of cancer vaccines, which work by boosting the body’s immune system to fight cancer. The goal of this study [...] Read more.
Cancer is a major public health threat, and researchers are constantly looking for new ways to develop effective treatments. One approach is the use of cancer vaccines, which work by boosting the body’s immune system to fight cancer. The goal of this study was to develop an effective cancer vaccine using rendered-inactive tumor cells. A CMS5 fibrosarcoma tumor model in BALB/c mice and an E.G7 lymphoma tumor model in C57BL/6 mice were used to evaluate how mitomycin C-inactivated tumor cells mediated tumor protection. The results showed that immunization with inactivated CMS5 cells significantly improved tumor suppression after a challenge with live CMS5 tumor cells, but no effect was observed using the E.G7 tumor model. The results suggested that DC (dendritic cell) responses to tumor antigens are critical. The maturation and activation of DCs were effectively promoted by mitomycin C-treated CMS5 cells, as well as enhanced phagocytosis ability in vitro. The tumor-protective effects established by the vaccination of inactivated CMS5 cells were CD8+ T cell-dependent, as the antitumor responses disappeared after eliminating CD8+ T cells. It was found that the tumor-prevention efficacy was dramatically increased by combining inactivated CM55 tumor cells with anti-CD25 antibodies to temporarily deplete Treg cells (regulatory T cells). This strategy could also significantly induce the rejection against E.G7 tumors. In addition, vaccination with anti-CD25 antibodies plus inactivated CMS5 cells elicited antitumor responses against heterologous tumors. According to the findings of this study, combining the immunization of inactivated tumor cells with an anti-CD25 antibody may be an effective method for cancer prevention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy: Therapeutics and Mechanisms)
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Review

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16 pages, 1255 KiB  
Review
Revamping Hepatocellular Carcinoma Immunotherapy: The Advent of Microbial Neoantigen Vaccines
by Junze Liang, Yanxia Liao, Zhiwei Tu and Jinping Liu
Vaccines 2024, 12(8), 930; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12080930 - 21 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1834
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment paradigm for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its efficacy varies significantly with each patient’s genetic composition and the complex interactions with their microbiome, both of which are pivotal in shaping anti-tumor immunity. The emergence of microbial neoantigens, a novel [...] Read more.
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment paradigm for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its efficacy varies significantly with each patient’s genetic composition and the complex interactions with their microbiome, both of which are pivotal in shaping anti-tumor immunity. The emergence of microbial neoantigens, a novel class of tumor vaccines, heralds a transformative shift in HCC therapy. This review explores the untapped potential of microbial neoantigens as innovative tumor vaccines, poised to redefine current HCC treatment modalities. For instance, neoantigens derived from the microbiome have demonstrated the capacity to enhance anti-tumor immunity in colorectal cancer, suggesting similar applications in HCC. By harnessing these unique neoantigens, we propose a framework for a personalized immunotherapeutic response, aiming to deliver a more precise and potent treatment strategy for HCC. Leveraging these neoantigens could significantly advance personalized medicine, potentially revolutionizing patient outcomes in HCC therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy: Therapeutics and Mechanisms)
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24 pages, 1695 KiB  
Review
The Role of Natural Killer Cells in Oncolytic Virotherapy: Friends or Foes?
by Michael L. Franks, Ju-Hyun An and Jianmei W. Leavenworth
Vaccines 2024, 12(7), 721; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12070721 - 28 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1984
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) has emerged as a promising cancer immunotherapy, and is capable of potentiating other immunotherapies due to its capacity to increase tumor immunogenicity and to boost host antitumor immunity. Natural killer (NK) cells are a critical cellular component for mediating the [...] Read more.
Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) has emerged as a promising cancer immunotherapy, and is capable of potentiating other immunotherapies due to its capacity to increase tumor immunogenicity and to boost host antitumor immunity. Natural killer (NK) cells are a critical cellular component for mediating the antitumor response, but hold a mixed reputation for their role in mediating the therapeutic efficacy of OVT. This review will discuss the pros and cons of how NK cells impact OVT, and how to harness this knowledge for the development of effective strategies that could modulate NK cells to improve OVT-based therapeutic outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy: Therapeutics and Mechanisms)
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19 pages, 1021 KiB  
Review
Overcoming Suppressive Tumor Microenvironment by Vaccines in Solid Tumor
by Ya-Jia Xie, Wen-Qian Liu, Dan Li, Jin-Cai Hou, Paolo Saul Coghi and Xing-Xing Fan
Vaccines 2023, 11(2), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11020394 - 9 Feb 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3413
Abstract
Conventional vaccines are widely used to boost human natural ability to defend against foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. Recently, therapeutic cancer vaccines attracted the most attention for anti-cancer therapy. According to the main components, it can be divided into five types: [...] Read more.
Conventional vaccines are widely used to boost human natural ability to defend against foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. Recently, therapeutic cancer vaccines attracted the most attention for anti-cancer therapy. According to the main components, it can be divided into five types: cell, DNA, RNA, peptide, and virus-based vaccines. They mainly perform through two rationales: (1) it trains the host immune system to protect itself and effectively eradicate cancer cells; (2) these vaccines expose the immune system to molecules associated with cancer that enable the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. In this review, we thoroughly summarized the potential strategies and technologies for developing cancer vaccines, which may provide critical achievements for overcoming the suppressive tumor microenvironment through vaccines in solid tumors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy: Therapeutics and Mechanisms)
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Other

39 pages, 1819 KiB  
Systematic Review
Therapeutic Vaccines for Hematological Cancers: A Scoping Review of This Immunotherapeutic Approach as Alternative to the Treatment of These Malignancies
by Fernando Augusto Siqueira Mathias, Maria Gabriela Reis Carvalho and Jeronimo Conceição Ruiz
Vaccines 2025, 13(2), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13020114 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1201
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The need for innovative cancer treatments has brought immunotherapies to the forefront as a promising approach, with therapeutic vaccines demonstrating the potential to mobilize immune cells to eliminate tumor cells. However, challenges such as genetic variability among patients, immune evasion mechanisms, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The need for innovative cancer treatments has brought immunotherapies to the forefront as a promising approach, with therapeutic vaccines demonstrating the potential to mobilize immune cells to eliminate tumor cells. However, challenges such as genetic variability among patients, immune evasion mechanisms, and disease relapse contribute to the complexity of achieving an ideal therapy, especially for hematological cancers. This review systematically identifies and analyzes recent studies focused on the development of therapeutic immunotherapy vaccines, examining critical aspects such as development stages, key assays for therapeutic validation, treatment outcomes, and study limitations. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA extension guidelines (PRISMA-ScR). Literature searches were conducted across Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct databases using keywords including “immunotherapy”, “vaccines”, “immunization”, “hematological malignancies”, “blood cancer”, “hematopoietic neoplasms”, and “leukemia”. Results: A total of 56 articles published from 2013 to 2024 were included in the analysis. The majority of studies are in the preclinical stage, with some advancing to phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials. Acute myeloid leukemia emerged as the most frequently studied malignancy. While first- and second-generation vaccines dominate the field, innovative approaches, such as dendritic-cell-based vaccines and mRNA vaccines, are gaining prominence. Notably, preclinical models often demonstrate superior outcomes compared to clinical trials, as results observed in animal models are not fully replicated in human studies. Conclusions: Despite challenges related to disease progression and patient loss, the studies reviewed highlight significant advancements in patient prognosis, emphasizing the potential of novel therapeutic vaccines as an effective alternative for the treatment of hematological cancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy: Therapeutics and Mechanisms)
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Graphical abstract

12 pages, 2074 KiB  
Perspective
Dose Considerations for Vaccinia Oncolytic Virus Based on Retrospective Reanalysis of Early and Late Clinical Trials
by Mefotse Saha Cyrelle Ornella, Jae-Joon Kim, Euna Cho, Mong Cho and Tae-Ho Hwang
Vaccines 2024, 12(9), 1010; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12091010 - 3 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1720
Abstract
Over the past decade, oncolytic viruses (OVs) have been developed as a promising treatment alone or in combination in immuno-oncology but have faced challenges in late-stage clinical trials. Our retrospective reanalysis of vaccinia oncolytic virus (VOV) clinical trials indicates that lower doses—rather than [...] Read more.
Over the past decade, oncolytic viruses (OVs) have been developed as a promising treatment alone or in combination in immuno-oncology but have faced challenges in late-stage clinical trials. Our retrospective reanalysis of vaccinia oncolytic virus (VOV) clinical trials indicates that lower doses—rather than the maximum tolerated dose (MTD)—are associated with better tumor response rates. Patients who responded well to lower doses generally had prolonged survival rates in the early phase clinical trial. The association between poor outcomes and an increase in OV-induced neutrophils (OV-N) but not baseline neutrophil counts suggests the need for a comprehensive characterization of OV-N. Although this reanalysis is limited by patient heterogeneity—including differences in cancer type and stage, treatment schedules, and administration routes—it remains informative given the complexities of translational studies in the tumor-bearing mouse models of vaccinia oncolytic viruses. Notably, while OV-N increases with higher viral doses, the immune state shaped by tumor progression likely amplifies this tendency. These findings highlight the importance of OV-N immune modulation as well as dose optimization for the successful clinical development of VOV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy: Therapeutics and Mechanisms)
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