About this Research Topic
Immunotherapy is a clinically proven concept to prevent and treat diverse diseases. Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have transformed cancer patient survival and the quality of life for patients with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Vaccination with attenuated viruses or microbial virulence factors is a validated strategy to control infectious disease and has eradicated the global pandemic Smallpox infection.
Recently, the concept of encoding transgenes, such as the receptor-binding COVID-19 spike protein, cytokines, antibodies, or immunogenic tumor antigens into non-viral or viral vectors has been validated as a powerful means to achieve vaccination for protection against pandemic infections, and cancer immunotherapy respectively. For certain immunotherapeutic targets and mechanisms, vector-based targeting offers distinct advantages over the traditional protein format. For example, in cancer immunotherapy vectorization may enable local delivery, production, and tumor-enriched exposure of powerful immune-modulatory antibodies, for example anti-CTLA-4 or anti-CD28 that are too toxic to allow full therapeutic dosing upon systemic administration.
This research topic will explore mechanisms by which vectorization of cancer antigens or immune targeting proteins can help induce robust antitumor immunity. We are interested to understand how vectorization can help address targets and activate immune pathways that act in concert with available therapies (e.g. immune checkpoint blockades with PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies) to bring clinical benefit to non-responding patients. We are especially interested in learning how vector-based therapies may help activate antitumor immunity in patients with poorly T cell-infiltrated “cold” tumors. The focus will be on concepts that explore the untapped therapeutic potential of viral oncolytic vectors and non-viral nanoliposome-encapsulated mRNA vectors to achieve highly effective yet safe cancer immunotherapy.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and perspective articles. We welcome manuscripts focusing on, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Vectorized targeting approaches that help overcome the resistant tumor microenvironment and induce responses in poorly T cell-infiltrated tumors
• Viral replicating or nonreplicating, oncolytic or non-lytic vectors (including but not limited to HSV, Vaccinia, adeno, etc) for cancer immunotherapy
• Non-viral vectors including nanoliposomes for tumor antigen, cytokine, receptor, or antibody encoding mRNA delivery and targeted in vivo expression, e.g., liver, spleen, or tumor tissue
Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation are considered out of scope of this section.
Topic editor Björn Frendéus is employed by BioInvent International AB. Topic Editor Yaohe Wang is the co-founder and CSO of Biotherapeutics Ltd. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.
Recently, the concept of encoding transgenes, such as the receptor-binding COVID-19 spike protein, cytokines, antibodies, or immunogenic tumor antigens into non-viral or viral vectors has been validated as a powerful means to achieve vaccination for protection against pandemic infections, and cancer immunotherapy respectively. For certain immunotherapeutic targets and mechanisms, vector-based targeting offers distinct advantages over the traditional protein format. For example, in cancer immunotherapy vectorization may enable local delivery, production, and tumor-enriched exposure of powerful immune-modulatory antibodies, for example anti-CTLA-4 or anti-CD28 that are too toxic to allow full therapeutic dosing upon systemic administration.
This research topic will explore mechanisms by which vectorization of cancer antigens or immune targeting proteins can help induce robust antitumor immunity. We are interested to understand how vectorization can help address targets and activate immune pathways that act in concert with available therapies (e.g. immune checkpoint blockades with PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies) to bring clinical benefit to non-responding patients. We are especially interested in learning how vector-based therapies may help activate antitumor immunity in patients with poorly T cell-infiltrated “cold” tumors. The focus will be on concepts that explore the untapped therapeutic potential of viral oncolytic vectors and non-viral nanoliposome-encapsulated mRNA vectors to achieve highly effective yet safe cancer immunotherapy.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and perspective articles. We welcome manuscripts focusing on, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Vectorized targeting approaches that help overcome the resistant tumor microenvironment and induce responses in poorly T cell-infiltrated tumors
• Viral replicating or nonreplicating, oncolytic or non-lytic vectors (including but not limited to HSV, Vaccinia, adeno, etc) for cancer immunotherapy
• Non-viral vectors including nanoliposomes for tumor antigen, cytokine, receptor, or antibody encoding mRNA delivery and targeted in vivo expression, e.g., liver, spleen, or tumor tissue
Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation are considered out of scope of this section.
Topic editor Björn Frendéus is employed by BioInvent International AB. Topic Editor Yaohe Wang is the co-founder and CSO of Biotherapeutics Ltd. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.
Keywords: Vector, Cancer Immunotherapy
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
