This volume presents the most complicated and powerful cancer biotherapies developed. It provides an overview of human immune system function and the mechanisms by which adoptive cellular immunotherapies (ACI) harnesses the activity. The volume provides a vision on the developments in ACI.

This volume presents the most complicated and powerful cancer biotherapies developed. It provides an overview of human immune system function and the mechanisms by which adoptive cellular immunotherapies (ACI) harnesses the activity. The volume provides a vision on the developments in ACI.

This volume illustrates the salient aspects of cancer biology relevant to the successful implementation of immunotherapy. Topics include enhancement of antigen-specific immune responses by anti-cancer vaccines, modulation of the function of T cells within the tumor microenvironment, and the effects of genetic, epigenetic, developmental, and environmental determinants on T cell function. Other topics covered include the ex vivo expansion of T or other immune cells and their genetic modification or reprogramming to increase their ability to survive and expand when adoptively transferred back to the patients. Specific attention is devoted to the genetic manipulation of T cells through the introduction of re-directed T cell receptors, chimeric antibody receptors, and other genetic manipulation aimed at improving their effectiveness as anti-cancer agents. Furthermore, the revolutionary role of checkpoint inhibitors and their potential in combination with other immunotherapeutic approaches or with standard chemo and radiation therapy are extensively discussed.

Thoroughly updated to reflect major advances in the field of immuno-oncology, this second edition of Cancer Immunotherapy Principles and Practice, from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), remains the definitive resource for information on tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy treatments. An essential reference for both novice and experienced cancer researchers, oncologists, and related practitioners alike, the book not only guides readers through the fundamental scientific principles of the field all the way to translational and practical clinical applications for treating and managing oncologic disease, but also provides a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory processes that support the safe and effective delivery of immunotherapy to patients with cancer. The expanded and updated second edition now spans 68 chapters, including 12 new chapters, covering major topics and innovations that have shaped the rapid development of immunotherapy and its ascension into the standard of care as first-line treatment for a growing number of disease settings. New to this edition are chapters with deeper insight into our understanding of cancer genomics and determinants of response, immunogenic cell death, cancer and stromal cell-intrinsic pathways of immune resistance, cancer immune exclusion, adoptive cell therapy, metabolomics, tumor mutation burden, immunotherapy in combination with radiation therapy, synthetic biology, and more. Complete with detailed illustrations, tables, and key points for targeted reference, Cancer Immunotherapy Principles and Practice, Second Edition is the most comprehensive and authoritative resource for scientists and clinicians looking to expand their knowledge base of this dynamic field. Key Features: Offers key insights and perspectives on cancer immunology and immunotherapy treatments from renowned experts in the field Covers the basic principles and science behind cancer immunotherapy and tumor immunology Includes treatment strategies for a vast array of available immunotherapy classes and agents, such as cytokine therapies, oncolytic viruses, cancer vaccines, CAR T therapies, and combination immunotherapies Provides essential information on FDA-approved immunotherapies, including clinical management and outcome data related to response rates, risks, and toxicities Discusses special considerations for immunotherapy in the context of specific disease settings, including skin cancers, genitourinary cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, hepatocellular carcinomas, gynecologic malignancies, breast cancers, lung cancers, head and neck cancers, brain tumors, sarcomas, pediatric cancers, and treatments combined with radiation therapy Clarifies the complex regulatory aspects behind the development and approval of immunotherapy drugs

Adoptive cellular immunotherapy of cancer, particularly chimeric antigen receptor-transduced T cell (CAR-T) therapies, have enjoyed an explosion of clinical trials and translational and basic research in the past decade. The concept and design of the CAR, though originally intended to optimize targeting of innate natural killer cells (NK cells) to tumor-specific antigens, was laterally applied in the past decade to conventional autologous and later third-party allogeneic T cells with first-in-kind successes in leukemia immunotherapy in both adults and children. This approach also spawned the development of an entire industry focused on cancer immunotherapy, laying the foundation for the current paradigm shifts away from toxic chemo/radiotherapy to immune targeting. Aside from cytokine-release toxicities, specific obstacles plaguing existing CAR-T cell therapies include suboptimal killing by fatigued or senescent autologous patient-derived T cells derived, acquisition of tumor resistance to T-cell based immune therapies, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) associated with allogeneic conventional T cell therapies.