Targeting immunosenescence for improved tumor immunotherapy

• Published in: MedComm (2020) 2024-11, Vol.5 (11), p.e777-n/a
• Main Authors: Liu, Zaoqu, Zuo, Lulu, Zhou, Zhaokai, Liu, Shutong, Ba, Yuhao, Zuo, Anning, Ren, Yuqing, Zhang, Chuhan, Chen, Yukang, Ma, Hongxuan, Xu, Yudi, Luo, Peng, Cheng, Quan, Xu, Hui, Zhang, Yuyuan, Weng, Siyuan, Han, Xinwei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: immune responses; immunosenescence; Immunotherapy; inflammaging; older patients; Review; therapeutic strategies; tumor immune microenvironment
• ISSN: 2688-2663; 2688-2663
• DOI: 10.1002/mco2.777

Tumor immunotherapy has significantly transformed the field of oncology over the past decade. An optimal tumor immunotherapy would ideally elicit robust innate and adaptive immune responses within tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Unfortunately, immune system experiences functional decline with chronological age, a process termed “immunosenescence,” which contributes to impaired immune responses against pathogens, suboptimal vaccination outcomes, and heightened vulnerability to various diseases, including cancer. In this context, we will elucidate hallmarks and molecular mechanisms underlying immunosenescence, detailing alterations in immunosenescence at molecular, cellular, organ, and disease levels. The role of immunosenescence in tumorigenesis and senescence‐related extracellular matrix (ECM) has also been addressed. Recognizing that immunosenescence is a dynamic process influenced by various factors, we will evaluate treatment strategies targeting hallmarks and molecular mechanisms, as well as methods for immune cell, organ restoration, and present emerging approaches in immunosenescence for tumor immunotherapy. The overarching goal of immunosenescence research is to prevent tumor development, recurrence, and metastasis, ultimately improving patient prognosis. Our review aims to reveal latest advancements and prospective directions in the field of immunosenescence research, offering a theoretical basis for development of practical anti‐immunosenescence and anti‐tumor strategies. Immune system of human organism has a well‐defined structural hierarchy. Over time, human organism undergoes substantial transformation through influence of immunosenescence. Advanced insight into immunosenescence and immunotherapy has facilitated a paradigm shift in treatment of elderly oncology patients. Anti‐immunosenescence and anti‐tumor strategies are closely interrelated and jointly improve therapeutic patterns and quality of life in oncology for older patients.