RNA modifications in cancer immune therapy: regulators of immune cells and immune checkpoints

Front Immunol. 2024 Sep 20:15:1463847. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1463847. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

RNA modifications are epigenetic changes that alter the structure and function of RNA molecules, playing a crucial role in the onset, progression, and treatment of cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies, particularly PD-1 blockade and anti-CTLA-4 treatments, have changed the treatment landscape of virous cancers, showing great potential in the treatment of different cancer patients, but sensitivity to these therapies is limited to certain individuals. This review offers a comprehensive survey of the functions and therapeutic implications of the four principal RNA modifications, particularly highlighting the significance of m6A in the realms of immune cells in tumor and immunotherapy. This review starts by providing a foundational summary of the roles RNA modifications assume within the immune cell community, focusing on T cells, NK cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. We then discuss how RNA modifications influence the intricate regulatory mechanisms governing immune checkpoint expression, modulation of ICI efficacy, and prediction of ICI treatment outcomes, and review drug therapies targeting genes regulated by RNA modifications. Finally, we explore the role of RNA modifications in gene editing, cancer vaccines, and adoptive T cell therapies, offering valuable insights into the use of RNA modifications in cancer immunotherapy.

Keywords: RNA modification; cancer; immune cell; immune checkpoint; immune therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors* / pharmacology
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Immune Checkpoint Proteins / genetics
  • Immune Checkpoint Proteins / metabolism
  • Immunotherapy* / methods
  • Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Immune Checkpoint Proteins

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This article was funded by the Special Project of Science and Technology Cooperation between Hubei Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. 42000021817T300000050) and The National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 32200706).