Originally discovered as crucial components of innate immune defense against pathogens, innate immune sensors have emerged as major players in tumor immunosurveillance. Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) are the sensors that respond to danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) released by dying, damaged, or infected cells. DAMPs are potent triggers of inflammation that may not only trigger anti-tumor immune responses but also promote the development or progression of tumors in many settings
Like pathogens that have succeeded in coexisting with their hosts, highly aggressive, unstable tumors have evolved to co-opt innate danger-sensing pathways to drive tumorigenic behaviors. Our immunotherapies are designed to modulate ‘pathogen-induced-like’ innate immune responses at the tumor site for therapeutic purposes