Seminars in ImmunologyPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-30DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2025.101995
Negar Sharifi , Amir Emamie , Nastaran Rafiee , Salar Pashangzadeh , Eknoor Walia , Nikolas Tim Martin , Huy-Dung Hoang , Xiao Xiang , Tommy Alain
{"title":"Reovirus oncolysis and the next frontiers for this unique oncoviral immunotherapy","authors":"Negar Sharifi , Amir Emamie , Nastaran Rafiee , Salar Pashangzadeh , Eknoor Walia , Nikolas Tim Martin , Huy-Dung Hoang , Xiao Xiang , Tommy Alain","doi":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101995","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101995","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reovirus is one of the most clinically investigated oncolytic viruses, with over 50 clinical trials and more than 1700 patients treated to date. Although it has yet to achieve complete regulatory approval, reovirus remains a promising oncolytic virus candidate for cancer immunotherapy due to its preferential replication in malignant cells, minimal toxicity in normal tissues, availability to be delivered via multiple routes, and strong immunostimulatory properties. As a non-enveloped, double-stranded RNA virus of the <em>Reoviridae</em> family, reovirus is typically asymptomatic in healthy individuals unlike its pathogenic relative, rotavirus, thus making it especially attractive for clinical use. Recent research has significantly expanded its therapeutic potential beyond direct oncolysis, highlighting its ability to remodel the tumor microenvironment, activate both innate and adaptive immunity, and synergize with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Moreover, advances in oral delivery, nanoparticle encapsulation, mesenchymal stem cell-mediated transport, and genetic engineering, have further enhanced its safety, targeting precision, and therapeutic efficacy. This review summarizes recent breakthroughs in reovirus-based virotherapy and explores emerging strategies that may unlock its full potential as a next-generation immunotherapeutic platform.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49546,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Immunology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 101995"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145207731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seminars in ImmunologyPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2025.101999
J. Alejandra Rodriguez, Humayra Habib, Matthew R. Olson
{"title":"Three’s company: The cooperative signals behind the differentiation of Th9 cells","authors":"J. Alejandra Rodriguez, Humayra Habib, Matthew R. Olson","doi":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101999","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101999","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>T helper 9 (Th9) cells, characterized by their production of interleukin-9 (IL-9), play pivotal roles in protective immunity and inflammatory disease. Their differentiation depends on the integration of three signals: TCR engagement (Signal 1), co-stimulatory receptor activation (Signal 2), and cytokine-driven transcriptional programming (Signal 3). This review explores how these signals converge to shape Th9 identity, highlighting the unique requirement for strong TCR signaling, heightened sensitivity to NF-κB signaling pathways, and the interplay of cytokine/STAT proteins. Understanding these mechanisms offers insights into Th9 biology and therapeutic strategies for cancer, allergy, and autoimmune disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49546,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Immunology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 101999"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145313786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seminars in ImmunologyPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-29DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2025.101996
Manuela Lizarralde-Guerrero , David Olagnier , Fernando Aranda , Maria Chiara Maiuri , Guido Kroemer , Jonathan G. Pol
{"title":"Latest insights into oncolytic viro-immunotherapy with vesicular stomatitis virus","authors":"Manuela Lizarralde-Guerrero , David Olagnier , Fernando Aranda , Maria Chiara Maiuri , Guido Kroemer , Jonathan G. Pol","doi":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101996","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101996","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a rhabdovirus with intrinsic oncolytic properties, has emerged as a promising candidate for cancer therapy. Thanks to impaired antiviral responses affecting cancer cells, particularly downregulated type I interferon signaling, VSV selectively replicates in tumor cells while sparing normal cells. To mitigate neurotoxicity and improve therapeutic efficacy, genetically-engineered strains, such as VSV-∆M51, VSV-mIFNβ, and VSV-GP, have been developed. This review highlights the latest advances in VSV-based oncolytic virotherapy, focusing on novel modifications of the viral genome, as well as on combination strategies designed to enhance tumor selectivity, stimulate antitumor responses, and overcome resistance mechanisms. Recent studies have introduced modifications that bolster immunogenicity, and improve viral replication within tumors. Additionally, approaches combining VSV with small molecules, immune checkpoint inhibitors and other immunomodulatory agents, promise to augment antitumor activity. Emerging evidence suggests that VSV can reshape the tumor microenvironment, thus promoting robust adaptive antitumor immune responses. Ongoing research continues to explore strategies for improving systemic delivery, minimizing off-target effects, and enhancing viral persistence within the tumor bed. Further investigation and clinical translation will determine the full potential of VSV-based viroimmunotherapy in cancer treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49546,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Immunology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 101996"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145201926","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seminars in ImmunologyPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-08-30DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2025.101984
Valérie Abadie
{"title":"Gut mucosal immune responses – Implications for celiac disease and food allergy","authors":"Valérie Abadie","doi":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101984","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101984","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The intestinal mucosa employs a diverse set of defense mechanisms—from mucosal barrier regulation to immunoregulatory pathways—to maintain homeostasis despite constant exposure to microbial and dietary antigens. Failure to establish immune tolerance to food antigens can lead to pathological conditions such as celiac disease (CeD) and food allergies. This review provides an overview of the sequential processes that support tolerance to food antigens and examines how gene-environment interactions contribute to the pathogenesis of CeD and food allergies. Although the exact nature of the environmental triggers is unknown, microbial agents - whether bacterial or viral- are believed to play a critical role in disrupting homeostatic mechanisms in genetically predisposed individuals. Tolerogenic responses to dietary antigens can be compromised by environmentally induced local inflammation or epithelial barrier disruption, leading to the expansion of T helper 1 (T<sub>H</sub>1) responses in CeD and T<sub>H</sub>2 responses in food allergies. This divergence in immune activation across distinct mucosal sites underscores the unique immunopathogenesis of CeD and food allergies—conditions for which our understanding has grown significantly, yet effective interventions remain limited.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49546,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Immunology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 101984"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144916505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seminars in ImmunologyPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2025.102002
Cédric Rébé, François Ghiringhelli
{"title":"Interleukin-1β and cancer immune response","authors":"Cédric Rébé, François Ghiringhelli","doi":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.102002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.102002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>IL-1β belongs to the IL-1 family and has the particularity to need to be cleaved by caspase-1 to be active. Once processed, IL-1β is secreted and binds to IL-1R1 on target cells, leading to the transcription of specific genes. Within a tumor, IL-1β is produced and secreted by various cell types, such as immune cells, fibroblasts or cancer cells and has pleiotropic effects on immune cells, angiogenesis, cancer cell proliferation, migration and metastasis. Thus, depending on the cancer type, the treatments or the tumor microenvironment (TME), IL-1β has opposite effects on cancer progression, thus raising the question of inducing or inhibiting IL-1β. Here, we will analyze the impact of IL-1β on cancer cells and immune cells of the TME in different types of cancers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49546,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Immunology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102002"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seminars in ImmunologyPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-11-06DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2025.102004
Shan He, Anthony T. Tan, Antonio Bertoletti
{"title":"HBV antigen as a tumour antigen in adoptive TCR-T cell therapy for HBV-related HCC: rationale and clinical effectiveness","authors":"Shan He, Anthony T. Tan, Antonio Bertoletti","doi":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.102004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.102004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hepatocellular carcinoma developing in patients with HBV chronic infection are marked by expression of whole or partial HBV antigens through a highly tissue-specific process, determined by the hepatotropism of HBV. HBV antigens are therefore a possible target for adoptive T cell immunotherapy as their expression and, consequently, potential on-target off-tumour events, are confined to the liver compartment with no involvement of other organs. Here we summarise the research steps to develop T cell therapy that utilises viral antigen as a tumour antigen in HBV-related HCC and discuss the efficacy and the potential mechanisms of action of HBV-specific T cell receptor (TCR)-redirected T cells in phase I clinical trials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49546,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Immunology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102004"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seminars in ImmunologyPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-10-06DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2025.101997
Shima Sepehri-Manesh , Marion Debeaud , Valerie Vouret-Craviari
{"title":"Unlocking IL-18: A hidden key in cancer immunity","authors":"Shima Sepehri-Manesh , Marion Debeaud , Valerie Vouret-Craviari","doi":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101997","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101997","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The IL-1 family comprises 11 cytokines, including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL-18, IL-33, and IL-36 cytokines to IL-37 and IL-38, that modulate innate immune system activity. In addition to their role in innate immunity, IL-1 family members can activate and enhance the function of polarized T cells. For example, IL-33 primarily influences T helper 2 (T<sub>H</sub>2) cells, IL-1 plays a central role in the differentiation of T<sub>H</sub>17 cells, and IL-18 predominantly affects T<sub>H</sub>1 cells. The IL-1 family members participated in various biological functions as described elsewhere in this special issue. Here, we provide an overview on IL-18, originally called IFN-γ inducing factor, and its role in impacting cancer immunity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49546,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Immunology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 101997"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145245686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seminars in ImmunologyPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-10-24DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2025.102001
Maria Eugenia Davola, Olga Cormier, Karen Mossman
{"title":"Antiviral humoral immunity: Enemy or ally of viral immunotherapy?","authors":"Maria Eugenia Davola, Olga Cormier, Karen Mossman","doi":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.102001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.102001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Oncolytic viruses are gaining traction as novel cancer immunotherapy tools given their ability to selectively target transformed cells. While direct tumor debulking was historically considered their primary mode of action, it is now appreciated that antitumor immunity significantly contributes to therapeutic efficacy. While T cells play a key role, less is known about humoral immunity in oncolytic virotherapy. While systemic delivery is the clinically preferred route for therapy administration, most oncolytic viruses are delivered directly to the tumor to avoid neutralization by pre-existing or therapy-induced immunity. In this review, we discuss emerging data showing the contribution of antiviral immunity to oncolytic activity along with growing evidence that questions dogma surrounding inhibitory activity of neutralizing antibodies. We further discuss how route of administration, tumor vascularization, host and cellular range, and oncolytic virus mechanism of action influence the role of the humoral immune response to therapy outcomes. We end the discussion with additional factors to consider, such as regulatory B cells, immunoglobulin isotype, Fc-mediated functions and the importance of choosing the right pre-clinical model that may contribute to overall therapy outcomes that are not routinely considered in pre-clinical and clinical studies of viral immunotherapies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49546,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Immunology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102001"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145362939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seminars in ImmunologyPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-23DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2025.101994
Christoph F. Kollmann , Nadine van Montfoort , Pierre Cordelier , Jonathan Pol , David Olagnier
{"title":"Oncolytic virotherapy: Sparking durable anti-tumor immunity through microenvironment modulation","authors":"Christoph F. Kollmann , Nadine van Montfoort , Pierre Cordelier , Jonathan Pol , David Olagnier","doi":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101994","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101994","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) is a novel approach to cancer treatment that utilizes viruses to infect and destroy tumor cells selectively. Beyond direct oncolysis, OVT significantly reshapes the tumor microenvironment (TME), activating the adaptive immune system to generate robust and durable anti-tumor immunity. This review examines the diverse mechanisms by which OVT modulates the TME, including physical remodeling, alterations in cellular composition, and the induction of immunogenic cell death, which releases antigens and adjuvants that enhance immune activation. We also explore the synergistic effects of combining OVT with immune checkpoint inhibitors to counteract the immunosuppressive TME. Additionally, recent clinical studies are highlighted, demonstrating the transition of 'cold' tumors to 'hot' tumors and the establishment of systemic tumor control in patients treated with OVT. By enhancing TME immunogenicity, OVT emerges as a potent adjunct to anti-tumor immunotherapies, offering new opportunities to overcome resistance and achieve better therapeutic outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49546,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Immunology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 101994"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145118226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seminars in ImmunologyPub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-07-21DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2025.101979
Jiajie Tu , Weile Chen , Zimeng Xue , Lai-Shan Tam , Wei Wei
{"title":"Uncovered role of Th9 and IL-9 in rheumatoid arthritis: Current status and future directions","authors":"Jiajie Tu , Weile Chen , Zimeng Xue , Lai-Shan Tam , Wei Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101979","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smim.2025.101979","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Early studies on T helper (Th) 9 cells and their specific cytokine IL-9 mainly focused on the field of allergic diseases. In addition to pathological studies, IL-9 can also affect the normal development and various functions of T cells and B cells. In recent years, a series of studies have found that IL-9 may play a pathogenic role in a range of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Specifically, Th9 cells and IL-9 show abnormally high expression in peripheral blood, synovial fluid, and synovial tissue of patients with RA. Based on this, therapeutic strategies targeting IL-9, such as monoclonal antibodies, have become potential treatments for RA. However, research on Th9 and IL-9 in RA has only been conducted for less than two decades, and many issues are worth further exploration. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenic effects of Th9 and IL-9 in RA, summarizes the potential reasons for inducing abnormally high expression of Th9 and IL-9 in RA, and discusses future research directions. The existing evidence shows that Th9-derived IL-9 is a potential biomarker or therapeutic target in RA. We hope that this current review can play a bridging role and provide new ideas for the study of Th9 and IL-9 in RA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49546,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Immunology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 101979"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144672082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}