Localized Intra-Cavitary Therapy to Drive Systemic Anti-Tumor Immunity

Abstract

Metastasis to the pleural and peritoneal cavities is a common terminal pathway for a wide variety of cancers. This article explores how these unique environments both promote aggressive tumor behavior and suppresses anti-tumor immunity, and ways in which local delivery of protein therapeutics can leverage the contained nature of these spaces to a therapeutic advantage, achieving high intra-cavital concentrations while minimizing systemic toxicity.

Keywords: epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT); intratumoral; local therapy; malignant ascites; malignant pleural effusion; video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).