Immunogenic cell death in cancer: concept and therapeutic implications

J Transl Med. 2023 Mar 2;21(1):162. doi: 10.1186/s12967-023-04017-6.

Abstract

Mammalian cells responding to specific perturbations of homeostasis can undergo a regulated variant of cell death that elicits adaptive immune responses. As immunogenic cell death (ICD) can only occur in a precise cellular and organismal context, it should be conceptually differentiated from instances of immunostimulation or inflammatory responses that do not mechanistically depend on cellular demise. Here, we critically discuss key conceptual and mechanistic aspects of ICD and its implications for cancer (immuno)therapy.

Keywords: Antigenicity; CAR T cells; DAMPs; Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Pattern recognition receptors; Tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Death
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Homeostasis
  • Immunogenic Cell Death*
  • Mammals
  • Neoplasms* / therapy