Immuno-Oncology - the translational runway for gene therapy.

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Abstract

Cancer therapy once again is experiencing a paradigm shift. This shift is based on extensive clinical experience demonstrating that cancer cannot be successfully fought by addressing single targets or pathways only. Even the combination of several neo-antigens in cancer vaccines is not sufficient for a successful, lasting tumor eradication. The focus therefore has shifted on the immune systems role in cancer and the striking abilities of cancer cells to manipulate and/or deactivate the immune system. Researchers and pharma companies have started to target the processes and cells known to support immune surveillance and the elimination of tumor cells. Immune processes however require novel concepts beyond the traditional "single-target - single drug" paradigm and need a parallel targeting of diverse cells and mechanisms. This review gives a perspective on the role of gene therapy technologies in the evolving immune-oncology space and identifies gene therapy as major driver in the development and regulation of effective cancer immunotherapy. Present challenges and breakthroughs ranging from CAR-T cell therapy, gene-modified oncolytic viruses, combination cancer vaccines, up to RNA therapeutics are spotlighted. Gene therapy is recognized as most prominent technology enabling effective immuno-oncology strategies.