Harnessing innate immunity: Novel strategies for cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development

The field of cancer immunology has seen significant advancements in recent years, particularly with the emergence of immunotherapy as a key pillar in the management of diverse malignancies. Despite these breakthroughs, the proportion of cancer patients who achieve long-lasting responses remains disappointingly low. Growing research reveals that innate immune cells, such as dendritic cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, neutrophils, and a variety of innate lymphoid cells, play fundamental roles not only in the frontline defense against tumors but also in orchestrating adaptive immune responses. Historically, cancer immunotherapeutic approaches have largely focused on adaptive immunity, especially T cells. However, recent attention has shifted to the multifaceted roles of innate immunity in driving and regulating antitumor effects. Contemporary studies highlight how the tumor microenvironment often subverts innate immune functions, contributing to immune evasion and resistance to therapy, yet how appropriately targeting these cells could reverse such immunosuppression and potentiate therapeutic outcomes.Current research is delving into ways to harness and modulate innate immunity for more robust antitumor activities. Strategies have emerged, ranging from reprogramming macrophages and dendritic cells to activating natural killer cells and overcoming suppressive networks, demonstrating encouraging preclinical and clinical outcomes. In parallel, the development of advanced vaccine platforms, including those based on mRNA, viral vectors, and nanoparticles, underscores the crucial interplay between innate sensing pathways and vaccine efficacy. Yet, despite evidence supporting the targeting of innate immune processes, further mechanistic insights and translational advances are necessary to overcome persistent challenges, such as immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment, limited understanding of innate-adaptive crosstalk, and optimization of therapeutic strategies tailored to individual patient profiles.This Research Topic aims to unite cutting-edge research focused on targeting innate immune cells for both cancer immunotherapy and therapeutic vaccine development. The objective is to deepen our mechanistic understanding of how innate immune cell populations contribute to tumor surveillance and progression, as well as to advance innovative interventions that leverage these cells to improve clinical responses. By fostering multidisciplinary dialogue, this topic seeks to bridge gaps between basic research and translational or clinical applications, thereby accelerating the realization of next-generation cancer therapies.The Research Topic encompasses investigations into the breadth and specificity of innate immune mechanisms in cancer, while excluding non-cancer or strictly adaptive immune-focused studies. To gather further insights into the field of innate immunity in cancer immunotherapy and vaccine innovation, we welcome articles addressing the following themes, including but not limited to:• Antigen-presenting cell-based strategies for cancer immunotherapy and therapeutic vaccines• Modulation of macrophages, neutrophils, myeloid-derived suppressor cells and their impact on the tumor microenvironment• Mechanistic and translational studies of innate immune signaling pathways in the context of cancer• Novel approaches to overcome tumor-induced suppression of innate immunity• Preclinical and clinical development of vaccines leveraging innate immune activationWe welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives focusing on both mechanistic discoveries and translational applications related to targeting innate immune cells in cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development. Topic editors: Aqu Alu, Hao-Xiang Wu, Zihui Zhang, Manni Wang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79463/harnessing-innate-immunity-novel-strategies-for-cancer-immunotherapy-and-vaccine-development