LAUSR

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising cancer treatment; however, success in only select clinical indications underscores the need for novel approaches. Recently Listeria monocytogenes–based vaccines have been developed to drive tumor-specific T cell responses. Here, we discuss recent preclinical studies using L. monocytogenes vaccines, innate immune pathways that influence T cell priming, and new vaccine strategies in clinical trials. Recent studies indicate that in addition to inducing antigen-specific T cell responses, L. monocytogenes vaccines remodel the TME. In addition, several innate immune pathways influence adaptive immune responses to L. monocytogenes and modulating these pathways holds promise to enhance antitumor T cell responses. The interplay between innate and adaptive immune responses to L. monocytogenes is poorly understood. Understanding these interactions will facilitate the design of better anti-cancer vaccines and improved use of combination therapies.