The interplay between persistent pathogen infections with tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy in cancer

• Published in: Cancer medicine (Malden, MA) Vol. 13; no. 17; pp. e70154 - n/a
• Main Authors: Chen, Si, Yao, Caihong, Tian, Na, Zhang, Chunying, Chen, Yuemei, Wang, Xuting, Jiang, Yue, Zhang, Tonghao, Zeng, Tingting, Song, Yali
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-09-2024; Wiley
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens; Bacteria; cancer; Cancer immunotherapy; Cancer therapies; Carcinogens; Cell death; Cervical cancer; chronic infections; Cytotoxicity; Disease; Epstein-Barr virus; Human papillomavirus; Humans; Immune checkpoint; Immune response; Immunotherapy; Immunotherapy - methods; Infections; Inflammation; Kaposis sarcoma; Leukemia; Ligands; Liver cancer; Liver cirrhosis; Lymphocytes; Microorganisms; Neoplasms - immunology; Neoplasms - therapy; Pathogens; Persistent infection; Persistent Infection - immunology; Proteins; Tumor microenvironment; Tumor Microenvironment - immunology; Tumorigenesis; Tumors; Urogenital system; Viral infections; cancer; chronic infections; tumor microenvironment; immunotherapy
• ISSN: 2045-7634; 2045-7634
• DOI: 10.1002/cam4.70154

Background
Chronic infections by pathogenic microorganisms play a significant role in cancer development, disrupting the body's immune system and microenvironment. This interference impairs the body's ability to eliminate these microorganisms promptly, allowing them to persist by evading immune defenses.
Aims
This study aimed to explore how chronic pathogenic infections influence the immune microenvironment, impacting tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and treatment strategies. Additionally, it seeks to investigate the effects of these infections on specific immune checkpoints and identify potential targets for immunotherapy.
Methods
We conducted searches, readings, and detailed analyses of key terms in databases like PubMed and Web of Science to evaluate the impact of chronic infections by pathogenic microorganisms on the immune microenvironment.
Results
Our analysis demonstrates a significant association between persistent chronic infections by pathogenic microorganisms and tumorigenesis. Notable impacts on the immune microenvironment include changes in immune cell function and the regulation of immune checkpoints, offering insights into potential targets for cancer immunotherapy.
Discussion
This study highlights the complex relationship between chronic infections and cancer development, presenting new opportunities for cancer immunotherapy by understanding their effects on the immune microenvironment. The influence of these infections on immune checkpoints emphasizes the crucial role of the immune system in cancer treatment.
Conclusion
Chronic infections by pathogenic microorganisms greatly affect the immune microenvironment, tumorigenesis, and cancer treatment. Unraveling the underlying mechanisms can unveil potential targets for immunotherapy, improving our comprehension of the immune response to cancer and potentially leading to more effective cancer treatments in the future.