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Bibi et al. J Transl Genet Genom 2024;8:119-161 Journal of Translational
DOI: 10.20517/jtgg.2023.50
Genetics and Genomics

Review Open Access

New approaches and prospects of immunotherapy
and gene therapy for prostate cancer

Roshni Bibi , Koustav Sarkar

Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India.
Correspondence to: Dr. Koustav Sarkar, Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur,
Tamil Nadu 603203, India. E-mail: koustavsarkar@gmail.com

How to cite this article: Bibi R, Sarkar K. New approaches and prospects of immunotherapy and gene therapy for prostate
cancer. J Transl Genet Genom 2024;8:119-161. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/jtgg.2023.50

Received: 14 Nov 2023 First Decision: 23 Jan 2024 Revised: 25 Jan 2024 Accepted: 1 Mar 2024 Published: 29 Mar 2024

Academic Editor: Sanjay Gupta Copy Editor: Fangling Lan Production Editor: Fangling Lan

Abstract
Prostate cancer stands as the most prevalent cancer globally, constituting 21% of all cancer diagnoses in male
patients. Urgent optimization of prostate cancer care is essential, given that this disease claims 345,000 lives
every year. These innovative approaches hold substantial promise for both researchers and patients, representing a
beacon of hope in the inhibitory act against prostate cancer. Prostate cancer's gradual advancement deems it
suitable for immune therapy, but trials in metastatic cases show limited effectiveness, likely due to compromised
immunity. Hindered by defective cellular responses, an immune-suppressive microenvironment, emerging
evidence and breakthroughs, such as CAR-T therapy, inspire cautious optimism for advanced prostate cancer
immunotherapy. Tumors utilize tactics to escape immune recognition, promoting the proliferation of MDSCs, Treg
cells, and TAMs. Immunotherapy targets prostate cancer by mostly expressed target proteins and overexpressed
target proteins. Immune cells play a role in tumor development and metastasis in advanced prostate cancer.
Modulating the tumor microenvironment presents therapeutic possibilities. Certain prostate cancer types exhibit
potential responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors, yet obstacles remain, necessitating additional research for
enhanced efficacy. Immunotherapy faces hurdles in prostate cancer - limited inflammation, scarce antigens, and a
resistant microenvironment. Grasping resistance intricacies is pivotal. The identification of DNA's helical structure
propelled global progress in disease treatment through gene therapy. Choosing gene therapy vectors is critical;
viruses are potent but toxic, while nonviral options, though less toxic, encounter barriers affecting transfection. In
the realm of prostate cancer treatment, immunotherapy and gene therapy are emerging as increasingly viable
options.

Keywords: Immunotherapy, gene therapy, prostate cancer, tumor microenvironment, immune checkpoint inhibitor

© The Author(s) 2024. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, sharing,
adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as
long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and
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