Drug Design, Development and Therapy

Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy: Biomarkers, Resistance Mechanisms and Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Cancer immunotherapy has fundamentally transformed the treatment landscape of multiple malignancies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, cellular therapies, cancer vaccines, and novel immune-modulating agents have produced durable responses across a broad range of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Over the past decade, immunotherapy has evolved from a promising experimental approach into a cornerstone of modern oncology. Nevertheless, substantial challenges remain regarding patient selection, treatment optimization, toxicity management, and mechanisms of resistance. Rapid advances in translational science, biomarker discovery, and drug development continue to expand the therapeutic potential of immunotherapy, creating a need for a dedicated forum to highlight emerging evidence and innovative strategies.

Although immunotherapy has improved outcomes for many patients, only a subset derives long-term benefit. Understanding the biological determinants of response and resistance remains a major research priority. The identification of predictive biomarkers, optimization of combination approaches, management of immune-related adverse events, and integration of immunotherapy across disease stages are critical to maximizing clinical benefit. Furthermore, advances in molecular profiling, liquid biopsy technologies, artificial intelligence, and real-world evidence are providing new opportunities to personalize immunotherapy and improve treatment decision-making. Addressing these questions will be essential to expanding the impact of immunotherapy and delivering more effective, individualized cancer care.

This Article Collection welcomes original research articles, reviews, perspectives, and translational studies focusing on all aspects of cancer immunotherapy. Topics of interest include predictive and prognostic biomarkers; mechanisms of primary and acquired resistance; immune checkpoint inhibitors; cellular therapies; cancer vaccines; bispecific antibodies; combination strategies involving targeted therapies, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or antibody-drug conjugates; immune-related adverse events; liquid biopsy applications; real-world outcomes; artificial intelligence and computational approaches; and novel therapeutic targets. Contributions from all tumor types are encouraged. The Collection aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current advances while fostering discussion on future directions in immuno-oncology research and clinical practice.

Please contact Haoyang Yi (Commissioning Editor) at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

Dr. Alessandro Rizzo

Dr. Rizzo is interested in epato-bilio-pancreatic tumors, immunotherapy, genitourinary malignancies, and breast cancer. In this area, in the last three years he published more than 200 papers in high impact journals (JAMA Oncology; Lancet Oncology; New England Journal of Medicine, etc.). Several scientific collaborations with Italian, European, South Korean, American Centers for translational and clinical studies are ongoing in this field. As medical oncologist, he is and has been involved in several phase I to III clinical trials as Sub-investigator and Principal investigator (PI).

Dr. Enes Erul

Enes Erul, MD, is a Medical Oncology Fellow at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Türkiye. His research interests include precision oncology, liquid biopsy, immuno-oncology, breast and lung cancer, and the integration of artificial intelligence into cancer care. Dr. Erul serves on the editorial boards of several international oncology journals and is actively involved in global collaborative research initiatives. He is a member of multiple international scientific societies and has contributed extensively to research, peer review, and academic leadership activities in oncology. His work focuses on advancing biomarker-driven cancer care and improving outcomes for patients with cancer.