Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40777043›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in immunology2025

The immunomodulatory role of tumor-initiating cells in digestive system tumors: from mechanisms to therapy.

Zun-Yue Zhang, Xin-Feng Zhang, Cong-Hui Xu, Kun-Hua Wang, Fang Huang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in immunology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Zun-Yue Zhang *School of Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.
Xin-Feng Zhang *Department of Gastrointestinal and Hernia Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
Cong-Hui XuSchool of Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.
Kun-Hua WangYunnan Technological Innovation Centre of Drug Addiction Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.
Fang HuangSchool of Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Targeting tumor-initiating cells (TICs) in digestive system tumors is a feasible strategy to boost the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. Because of their stem cell-like properties, TICs can cause tumor heterogeneity, recurrence, and resistance to conventional medicines, which can seriously impair treatment outcomes. This review discusses the unique features of TICs inside various digestive system tumors, such as colorectal, pancreatic, liver, and gastric cancers. We look at the mechanisms that TICs evade immune recognition, including altered tumor microenvironment, decreased immunogenicity, and immune checkpoint molecule expression. Furthermore, we highlight potential strategies for TICs, such as differentiation therapies, inhibiting certain signaling pathways, and enhancing immune recognition through advanced immunotherapeutic approaches. The analysis also examines the potential for combination therapy, which include adoptive cell therapies, TIC-targeted strategies, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Lastly, we address the challenges presented by TIC heterogeneity and immune escape mechanisms, emphasizing the need for more clinical research to back up these innovative tactics. All things considered, TIC targeting is a significant method to improve immunotherapy's efficacy in treating digestive system cancers, which will ultimately help patients.

Indexed as

Digestive System NeoplasmsImmunomodulationNeoplastic Stem CellsAnimalsHumansImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsImmunotherapyTumor EscapeTumor MicroenvironmentImmune Checkpoint Inhibitorscombination therapydifferentiation therapydigestive system tumorsimmune checkpointsimmunotherapytumor-initiating cells (TICs)tumor microenvironment

Identifiers

PMID40777043
PMCPMC12328405

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.