Gearing up T-cell immunotherapy in cervical cancer

Abstract

The World Health Organization estimates more than 270,000 deaths annually by cervical cancer. Present vaccines are prophylactic in nature which cannot treat huge bulk of cervical cancer patients worldwide. Available therapies like radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or surgery are not effective in high-grade lesion, and hence, there is an unmet medical need for an effective form of therapy. T cells play a significant role in cervical cancer pathogenesis as human papilloma virus uses multiple mechanisms that dodge host T-cell immune-surveillance aiding in persistence of infection and establishment of cancer. Therefore, T-cell-based immunotherapy is gaining momentum since it is more specific and is entitled with broader therapeutic potential. This review outlines various ongoing research and trials in field of T-cell immunotherapy for treating cervical cancer using different fundamental strategies. It is becoming an important pharmacological tool and therapeutic option against cervical disease, as more and more studies are extending from preclinical studies to human trials.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; Human papilloma virus; Immunotherapy; T cells.