Synergistic Integration of HDAC Inhibitors and Individualized Neoantigen Therapy (INT): A Next-Generation Combinatorial Approach for Cancer Immunotherapy

Background: Cancer immunotherapy has advanced, yet therapeutic resistance and low response rates remain problematic. This study explores histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) as adjuvants for cancer vaccines to enhance anti-tumor immunity and overcome these challenges. Methods: A comprehensive rev...

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Main Authors: Rui Han, Huiling Zhou, Baoqing Peng, Shasha Yu, Jiajie Zhu, Jiaojiao Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Vaccines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/6/550
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author Rui Han
Huiling Zhou
Baoqing Peng
Shasha Yu
Jiajie Zhu
Jiaojiao Chen
author_facet Rui Han
Huiling Zhou
Baoqing Peng
Shasha Yu
Jiajie Zhu
Jiaojiao Chen
author_sort Rui Han
collection DOAJ
description Background: Cancer immunotherapy has advanced, yet therapeutic resistance and low response rates remain problematic. This study explores histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) as adjuvants for cancer vaccines to enhance anti-tumor immunity and overcome these challenges. Methods: A comprehensive review of relevant literature was conducted. Studies on the immunomodulatory mechanisms of HDACis, their effects on Individualized neoantigen therapy (INT), and clinical applications were analyzed. Results: HDACis enhance anti-tumor immunity through multiple mechanisms. They activate endogenous retroelements, expanding the “antigen repository”. HDACis also upregulate MHC class I and II molecules, enhance the antigen processing machinery, improve MHC—I complex stability, and remodel the tumor immune microenvironment. Early clinical trials of HDACis combined with peptide vaccines show promising safety and immunological responses. However, challenges exist, such as HDACi-mediated PD-L1 regulation, optimal sequencing strategies, and biomarker development. Conclusions: The combination of HDACis and cancer vaccines has significant potential in cancer immunotherapy. Despite challenges, it offers a new approach to overcome tumor heterogeneity and immune evasion, especially for patients with limited treatment options. Further research on toxicity management, triple-drug combinations, biomarker identification, and delivery systems is needed to fully realize its clinical benefits.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2076-393X
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publisher MDPI AG
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series Vaccines
spelling doaj-art-ebe47c1100064450880dc2f0b72bcc3a2025-08-20T03:26:56ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2025-05-0113655010.3390/vaccines13060550Synergistic Integration of HDAC Inhibitors and Individualized Neoantigen Therapy (INT): A Next-Generation Combinatorial Approach for Cancer ImmunotherapyRui Han0Huiling Zhou1Baoqing Peng2Shasha Yu3Jiajie Zhu4Jiaojiao Chen5Department of Chinese Medicine Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, ChinaDepartment of Chinese Medicine Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, ChinaDepartment of Chinese Medicine Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, ChinaDepartment of Chinese Medicine Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, ChinaDepartment of Chinese Medicine Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, ChinaBackground: Cancer immunotherapy has advanced, yet therapeutic resistance and low response rates remain problematic. This study explores histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) as adjuvants for cancer vaccines to enhance anti-tumor immunity and overcome these challenges. Methods: A comprehensive review of relevant literature was conducted. Studies on the immunomodulatory mechanisms of HDACis, their effects on Individualized neoantigen therapy (INT), and clinical applications were analyzed. Results: HDACis enhance anti-tumor immunity through multiple mechanisms. They activate endogenous retroelements, expanding the “antigen repository”. HDACis also upregulate MHC class I and II molecules, enhance the antigen processing machinery, improve MHC—I complex stability, and remodel the tumor immune microenvironment. Early clinical trials of HDACis combined with peptide vaccines show promising safety and immunological responses. However, challenges exist, such as HDACi-mediated PD-L1 regulation, optimal sequencing strategies, and biomarker development. Conclusions: The combination of HDACis and cancer vaccines has significant potential in cancer immunotherapy. Despite challenges, it offers a new approach to overcome tumor heterogeneity and immune evasion, especially for patients with limited treatment options. Further research on toxicity management, triple-drug combinations, biomarker identification, and delivery systems is needed to fully realize its clinical benefits.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/6/550histone deacetylase inhibitorsindividualized neoantigen therapy (INT)immunotherapyantigen presentationtumor microenvironment
spellingShingle Rui Han
Huiling Zhou
Baoqing Peng
Shasha Yu
Jiajie Zhu
Jiaojiao Chen
Synergistic Integration of HDAC Inhibitors and Individualized Neoantigen Therapy (INT): A Next-Generation Combinatorial Approach for Cancer Immunotherapy
Vaccines
histone deacetylase inhibitors
individualized neoantigen therapy (INT)
immunotherapy
antigen presentation
tumor microenvironment
title Synergistic Integration of HDAC Inhibitors and Individualized Neoantigen Therapy (INT): A Next-Generation Combinatorial Approach for Cancer Immunotherapy
title_full Synergistic Integration of HDAC Inhibitors and Individualized Neoantigen Therapy (INT): A Next-Generation Combinatorial Approach for Cancer Immunotherapy
title_fullStr Synergistic Integration of HDAC Inhibitors and Individualized Neoantigen Therapy (INT): A Next-Generation Combinatorial Approach for Cancer Immunotherapy
title_full_unstemmed Synergistic Integration of HDAC Inhibitors and Individualized Neoantigen Therapy (INT): A Next-Generation Combinatorial Approach for Cancer Immunotherapy
title_short Synergistic Integration of HDAC Inhibitors and Individualized Neoantigen Therapy (INT): A Next-Generation Combinatorial Approach for Cancer Immunotherapy
title_sort synergistic integration of hdac inhibitors and individualized neoantigen therapy int a next generation combinatorial approach for cancer immunotherapy
topic histone deacetylase inhibitors
individualized neoantigen therapy (INT)
immunotherapy
antigen presentation
tumor microenvironment
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/6/550
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