Cancer immunotherapeutic challenges from autophagy-immune checkpoint reciprocal regulation

Gang Zhang; Yinfeng Chen; Xing Huang; Tingbo Liang

doi:10.1016/j.trecan.2024.11.001

Cancer immunotherapeutic challenges from autophagy-immune checkpoint reciprocal regulation

Trends Cancer. 2024 Dec 19:S2405-8033(24)00253-X. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.11.001. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Gang Zhang¹, Yinfeng Chen¹, Xing Huang², Tingbo Liang³

Affiliations

¹ Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
² Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39706727
DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.11.001

Abstract

Multiple strategies have been clinically employed as combination partners to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Although these combinations have demonstrated improved effectiveness in some instances, each presents its own limitations. Autophagy-targeting therapy offers several advantages when combined with ICIs, including enhanced tumor immunogenicity, reduced side effects, and broader applicability to diverse patient populations. However, emerging evidence reveals complex reciprocal regulation between autophagy and immune checkpoints which may complicate combination treatments targeting these two systems. This review focuses on the reciprocal interplay between autophagy and immune checkpoints, and provides valuable guidelines for the determination and adjustment of therapeutic regimens in the future.

Keywords: autophagy; cancer immunotherapy; immune checkpoint; reciprocal regulation.

Publication types

Review