Myeloid tumors and antitumor innate immunity

Abstract

The success of immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cell therapies has established immunotherapy as the “fourth pillar” of cancer treatment, alongside surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy for myeloid malignancies remains limited. While tumor immunology research has traditionally focused on T cells, attention has recently shifted to the roles of innate immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. These cells, which include macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells, have been found to play significant roles in the development and progression of myeloid malignancies. To develop effective immunotherapies for myeloid malignancies, it is essential to deepen our understanding of the roles of innate immunity within the bone marrow microenvironment and explore strategies to harness these mechanisms. This paper reviews the latest findings on innate immunity in myeloid malignancies and discusses the potential of immunotherapies that leverage innate immune responses.