Innate immunity, the body's initial defense line, comprises both physical and chemical barriers and a diverse array of immune cells equipped with pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). Key components of this immune arm include dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, and various T cell types such as natural killer (NK), natural killer T (NKT), γδ T, and mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. These cells primarily inhibit tumor growth through non-specific destruction of cancer cells and by stimulating the adaptive immune response. The role of innate immunity in cancer immunotherapy is increasingly recognized as pivotal, complementing the adaptive immune response. Traditional immunotherapies like checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cells primarily engage adaptive immunity, offering significant advancements in cancer treatment. However, their efficacy is limited to a small subset of patients. This limitation underscores the importance of the broader tumor microenvironment, where innate immune cells play crucial roles in cancer immune surveillance and evasion. By harnessing the innate immune system, new therapeutic strategies could emerge, expanding the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies and benefiting a wider patient population.

The purpose of this research topic is to explore the underappreciated role of innate immunity in cancer immunotherapy, aiming to understand how its various components interact with malignant cells and the adaptive immune system. This investigation seeks to uncover new therapeutic strategies that could enhance the efficacy of current treatments and potentially benefit a broader range of cancer patients.

1) Mechanisms by which innate immune cells recognize and respond to cancer cells.
2) Interplay between innate immunity and tumor microenvironment.
3) Role of specific innate immune cells and innate immune signaling pathways in cancer progression and therapy resistance.
4) Advances in targeting innate immunity in cancer immunotherapy.
5) Impact of innate immune modulation on the efficacy of existing cancer treatments like checkpoint inhibitors.
6) Clinical trials and translational research exploring new therapies involving innate immunity.
7) Novel biomarkers within the innate immune system for cancer detection, therapy monitoring and patient outcomes.
8) Understanding the genetic and molecular basis of innate immune responses in different cancer types.

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Frontiers in Immunology

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