Cancer Advisor

Quick Answer “Cold” and “hot” tumors describe how visible a cancer is to the immune system. Hot tumors have strong immune cell infiltration and are more likely to respond to immunotherapy. Cold tumors lack immune visibility and are more resistant. However, recent research shows this is an oversimplification. Tumors exist along a spectrum of immune states, shaped not only by genetics (PD-L1, TMB, MSI-H) but also by the tumor microenvironment, including immune exclusion, metabolism, and stromal barriers. Modern immunotherapy success depends on both tumor genetics and immune ecosystem structure. Key Takeaways Tumors are not simply “cold” or “hot” but exist on an immune spectrum. Hot tumors usually respond better to PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors. Cold tumors often resist immunotherapy due to lack of immune infiltration. Immune-excluded tumors have immune cells at the edges but not inside. Immune-desert tumors lack meaningful immune presence entirely. Tumor microenvironment factors (stro...

Some people may not realize this, but many people have cancer cells in their bodies without presenting much danger. Fortunately, there are some common foods that can cut off cancer cell’s nutrient supply and starve them to death. Autopsies of individuals who died of trauma often reveal microscopic colonies of cancer cells , also known as in situ tumors. Some people call them “disease-free cancers.” For instance, researchers  (NEJM) in Denmark performed autopsies on women aged 40 to 50, who never  (Nature) had cancer during their lifetime, and found that 39 percent of them had small cancerous lesions in their breasts. Only 1 percent of women in this age group would be diagnosed with breast cancer. Update: Press Pulse Protocol 2.0 (2026) : A Complete Immunometabolic Strategy for Cancer Control Examination of some men in their 60s showed that 46 percent of them had histological evidence of prostate cancer, which is consistent with the findings of the autopsy study. However, the ...

One of the most promising approaches in cellular therapies is immunotherapies using engineered T cells or natural killer (NK) cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Will CAR-NK cell therapies overshadow traditional CAR-T options for the treatment of some cancers? Recently researchers have tried to modify natural killer (NK) cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) to increase potential to bind and destroy cancer cells, known as NK cell therapy. Here we describe the differences between CAR T cell therapies and CAR NK cell therapies to consider when developing cancer treatments for patients. What is CAR-T? T cells are part of the adaptive immune system and are intended to generate a long lasting protective immune response. By engineering T cells with the Natural Killer Group 2D (NKG2D) receptor, they become NKG2D CAR T cell therapies. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy demonstrates significant, clinically meaningful outcomes for patients with hematologic mal...

Cancer treatment is evolving faster than ever. From cutting-edge immunotherapies to AI-driven diagnostics, the discoveries of 2026 are reshaping how clinicians detect, monitor, and treat malignancies. These breakthroughs offer hope for longer survival, improved quality of life, and personalized therapies tailored to each patient. The 2026 American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting took place in San Diego from April 17-22 and reflected how cancer research continues to evolve. Progress is increasingly driven by how advances across biology, technology, and policy come together to shape how we understand disease, develop new treatments, and bring them into practice. A central theme this year was the continued focus on cancer as more than just a collection of tumor cells. It is shaped by a complex ecosystem — immune cells, surrounding tissue, metabolism, and even the microbiome — all interacting in dynamic ways. Credit:  Statista 1. Immunotherapy: Expanding Beyond Che...

Quick Answer PD-L1, Tumor Mutation Burden (TMB), and Microsatellite Instability-High (MSI-H) are among the most important biomarkers used to predict whether a cancer patient is likely to benefit from immunotherapy. While MSI-H is generally considered the strongest single predictor of response, no biomarker is perfect. Many oncologists now combine PD-L1, TMB, MSI-H, genomic profiling, and clinical factors to make treatment decisions. In general: MSI-H often provides the strongest prediction of immunotherapy response. High TMB may increase the likelihood of benefit from checkpoint inhibitors. High PD-L1 expression can help identify patients more likely to respond, especially in lung cancer. The best predictions often come from combining multiple biomarkers rather than relying on just one. Why Biomarkers Matter in Immunotherapy Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment. Some patients with advanced cancer achieve long-lasting remissions that were once considered impossible. However, n...