Targeting hormone-related signals to reprogram the antitumor immune response in breast cancer: Research progress and application prospects

Abstract

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with varying responses to hormonal therapies and immunotherapies. It is commonly characterized as a “cold” tumor; however, increasing evidence demonstrates the immunomodulatory effects of hormonal signals and an evolving tumor immune microenvironment following treatment. Several investigations have shown that anti-hormone treatment enhances the capacity of antitumor immune cells while reducing the population of immunosuppressive cells. Understanding the effects and mechanisms of hormone and anti-hormone therapies on the antitumor immune response is crucial for developing novel cancer treatment strategies. This review explores the complex interplay between hormonal signals and antitumor immune responses in breast cancer and outlines the research progress and potential applications of targeting hormone-related signals to reprogram the immune response against breast cancer. We also address the challenges, opportunities, and future directions in regulating hormonal signals to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy for individuals with breast cancer.