This symposium was about cytokine and immune regulations in both clinical and nonclinical perspectives. The symposium relayed the importance of the immune system's role in suppressing tumor progression. Dr. Lauren Black described the importance of immune regulations as a novel therapeutic approach. Cancer can be evaded by stimulating the immune system: more specifically, the T cells. T cells can be stimulating or repressed. T cell stimulation will enhance cell death and tumor destruction.
Dr. Christopher Horvath introduced two important subpopulations: T cell receptor (TCR), which participates in the activation of T cells in antigen presentation, and chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which are engineered receptors that graft a specific molecule onto an immune effector cell. Horvath emphasized that these subpopulations will induce the same tissue injury. In addition, regulations of these subpopulations are unknown. These subpopulations may help cure cancer or it may induce autoimmunity. It is also hard to have a specific response in a specific tissue. Therefore, immunotherapy can be a complicated solution with no resolution. Dr. Rodney Prell presented a similar problem. Dr. Prell presented PD-L1 antagonist as a therapeutic approach; however, off target toxicity was observed. Dr. Prell’s results suggest an essential role of PD-L1 in autoimmunity and cancer resolution. Nevertheless, PD-L1 is found to be immunogenic and unpredictable in a nonclinical perspective. Dr. Rakesh Dixit and Dr. Helen Haggerty have investigated the roles of CEA/OX-40 and CD137, respectively. Both researchers have found the potential of these antagonists to help suppress cancer with limited off target toxicity. However, human extrapolation studies must be done. Animal studies have been proven to incorrectly predict human toxicity. Issues in humans cannot be foreseen with primate studies. Immune response predictions by in vitro and in vivo studies were lower compared to humans. In conclusion, immune therapy can be a potential approach for cancer, however, more mechanistic research is necessary before clinical trials.
This blog discusses highlights from the SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo Symposium Session "Immunostimulant Cancer Treatments: Toxicology Programs with an Autoimmune Twist."