Intralesional Cancer Immunotherapies

Abstract

Melanoma and other solid cancers with low or absent T-cell inflammation respond poorly to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Tumor infiltration with T cells that are directed against tumor antigens requires the induction of an innate immune response leading to production of type I interferons and maturation and activation of dendritic cells that can cross-present tumor antigens to T cells. Intralesional therapies, including oncolytic viral therapies, inflammatory cytokines, and agonists of Toll-like receptors and stimulator of interferon genes, can provide the necessary stimuli to trigger such an innate immune response.

Keywords: Intralesional cancer immunotherapies; Oncolytic viral therapy; STING agonists; Toll-like receptor agonists.