Immunotherapy: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Targeting Monocytes with TLR7 Ligands as a Novel Opportunity in Immuno-Oncology

Simon S Jensen, Ladan Parhamifar, Jonas Henriksen and Thomas L Andresen

Cancer immunotherapy has for the last decade been one of the fastest developing therapeutic areas in oncology with promising clinical benefits, supporting a role of immunotherapy as a cornerstone in future cancer treatment in combination with existing treatments. Treatment of early stage cancers today is very efficient due to refined surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and use of therapeutic antibodies, but a large group of patients in particular with late stage and metastatic disease have poor prognosis due to lack of efficient treatment options. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new technologies to provide more efficient treatment of late stage cancers, focused towards cure of these patients. One approach that may lead to better treatment is utilising the immune system of these patients, in order to generate durable anti-tumor memory immune responses. One strategy to boost the immune system of cancer patients has been administration of Toll Like Receptor ligands to overcome systemic and local immune escape mechanisms. In this commentary we discuss a novel delivery technology for systemic targeting of a Toll Like Receptor 7 ligand to monocytes in relation to current knowledge in cancer immunotherapy with perspectives on challenges and opportunities for clinical use of this technology.