Strategies for Heating Up Cold Tumors to Boost Immunotherapies

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors induce significant and durable treatment responses in about 20% of all cancers, but many patients have natural resistance to current immunotherapies. The past decade of technological advances has resulted in large-scale profiling of many cancers and their tumor microenvironments, rapidly expanding our understanding of the mechanisms utilized by tumors to create immune-resistant microenvironments. In this review, we discuss key factors that create immune resistance and emerging concepts that are redefining how we view immune resistance, as well as highlight novel strategies that aim to convert immune-resistant into immune-sensitive tumors. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cancer Biology, Volume 7 is April 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.