Unlocking tumor vascular barriers with CXCR3: Implications for cancer immunotherapy.

Promising cancer immunotherapeutics depend on mobilization of cytotoxic T cells across tumor vascular barriers through mechanisms that are poorly understood. Recently, we discovered that the CXCR3 chemokine receptor uniquely functions as the master-regulator of cytotoxic CD8(+) T cell extravasation and tumor control despite the multiplicity of chemokines available in the tumor landscape.

Preconditioning thermal therapy: flipping the switch on IL-6 for anti-tumour immunity.

Cancer immunotherapy aims to generate long-lived, tumour-specific adaptive immunity to limit dysregulated tumour progression and metastasis. Tumour vasculature has emerged as a critical checkpoint controlling the efficacy of immunotherapy since it is the main access point for cytotoxic T cells to reach tumour cell targets. Therapeutic success has been particularly challenging to achieve because of the local, cytokine-rich inflammatory milieu that drives a pro-tumourigenic programme supporting the growth and survival of malignant cells.