Immunogenic cell death‐inducing small molecule inhibitors: Potential for immunotherapy of cancer

Abstract

Small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) of key signalling pathways are known to induce multiple types of regulated cell death, including immunogenic cell death (ICD). The resulting antitumor immunity helps to overcome the resistance of cancer cells to cell death, resulting in improved cancer therapy. SMIs, especially those inducing multimodal cell death and ICD, can be critical components in rational combinations for cancer immunotherapy.

Engineering nanomedicines for immunogenic eradication of cancer cells: Recent trends and synergistic approaches

“…A number of small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) of major signaling pathways were found to trigger various forms of apoptosis, including ICD which elicits antitumor immune response. The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (BTZ) 41 , tyrosine kinase inhibitor crizotinib 42 , 43 , multi-kinase inhibitor, regorafenib 44 , 45 , and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) inhibitor shikonin (SHK) 46 , 47 , are among ICD inducers 48 , 49 . BTZ was shown to trigger Hsp90 and CRT expression by human or mouse multiple myeloma (MM) cells thus enabling their recognition and phagocytosis by DCs 50 .…”