Journal of Cancer Immunology

Review Article Open Access

Targeting FAK to Potentiate Immune Checkpoint Therapy in Solid Tumors

Karly A. Stanley , Sheri L. Holmen

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibition revolutionized cancer care, yet many people will fail to respond due to innate or acquired resistance. Combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors are being explored to enhance their efficacy and improve patient outcomes. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), known for its roles in cell adhesion and migration, has emerged as a potential therapeutic target due to the identification of its additional functions in cancer progression, including its ability to establish a pro-tumorigenic, immunosuppressive microenvironment. 

J Cancer Immunol, 2025, Volume 7, Issue 3, p99-108 | DOI: 10.33696/cancerimmunol.7.109

Original Research Open Access

Adherent Natural Killer Cells De Novo Express IL-2Rα and Sustain Long-Lasting, Potent Anti-Tumor Activity in Picomolar Concentrations of IL-2 

Nikola L. Vujanovic , Lazar Vujanovic , Theresa L. Whiteside

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) that play key roles in immunosurveillance and immunoregulation. They constitute a heterogeneous population comprising three principal subpopulations: NK1 (cytotoxic), NK2 (regulatory), and NK3 (adaptive). In response to interleukin-2 (IL-2) stimulation, NK3 cells differentiate into adherent NK (A-NK) cells, which exhibit potent anti-tumor activity. Human A-NK cells are generated by priming and adherence-based selection of peripheral blood NK3 cells in nanomolar (nM) IL-2 concentrations, followed by prolonged restimulation and culture in the same IL-2 conditions.

J Cancer Immunol, 2025, Volume 7, Issue 3, p109-122 | DOI: 10.33696/cancerimmunol.7.110

Commentary Open Access

Blood Clotting Contributes to a Malignant Glioma Phenotype: A Commentary

Lynn M. Knowles , Tamara C. Kiwitt , Jan Pilch

High-grade gliomas are malignant brain tumors that are derived from glial progenitors, oligodendrocytes or astrocytes. The prognosis of malignant glioma is poor with an overall survival of 12-15 months for glioblastoma (GBM) and 2-5 years for anaplastic glioma. A hallmark of glioma is the diffuse infiltration of the neuropil, which regularly prevents complete surgical removal even in premalignant lesions. While gliomas are generally considered to be non-metastatic, they are able to activate transcriptional programs known to promote mesenchymal cell functions that are associated with increased tumor cell invasion, a high rate of proliferation and poor patient survival.

J Cancer Immunol, 2025, Volume 7, Issue 3, p123-127 | DOI: 10.33696/cancerimmunol.7.111