Leveraging the Tumor Immune Cycle: Exploring Novel Immunotherapies For Cancer

Abstract

Cancer is a deadly disease caused by the mutation and uncontrolled proliferation of cells in the body. The human body defends itself against cancer through the tumor immune cycle, a process whereby the patient’s immune system is able to detect and fight cancerous cells. This cycle has inspired the development of various immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors and oncolytic virus therapy. These work to more effectively engage the immune system and the tumor immune cycle, inhibiting cancer growth and eliminating cancer cells in the body.  After success with various immunotherapies like antibody drug conjugates and virotherapy, scientists have continued developing more complex and efficient immunotherapies. This paper explores immunotherapy and two novel therapies, oncolytic virus therapy and antibody-drug conjugates, as more effective means to fight cancerous cells. It then proposes their potential use in combination to overcome limitations of current treatments and more efficiently leverage the tumor immune cycle. These treatments could save the lives of countless cancer patients and warrant further study.