Programmed cell death

Cell biology

Oncolytic virus

Biology

Apoptosis

Cancer research

Biochemistry

Endoplasmic reticulum

Immunology

Genetics

Immunogenic cell death

In vitro

Tumor cells

Cytotoxic T cell

Medicine

Cell

Necroptosis

Calreticulin

Cancer

Cancer cell

Acta Naturae

Apoptosis plays a crucial role in chemotherapy-induced cell death. The conventional theory holding that apoptosis needs to be immunologically silent has recently been revised, and the concept of immunogenic cell death (ICD) has been proposed. This review describes the main features of ICD induction. These ICD markers are important for the effectiveness of anticancer therapy, as well as for basic research into cell death regulation. The mechanism of the vaccination effect of dying cancer cells undergoing ICD has been fully described, including the activation of specific antitumor response after re-challenge by the same living tumor cells. This review also discusses the whole set of molecular events attributing cell death to immunogenic type: the exposure of calreticulin and the heat shock protein HSP70 to the outer surface of the cell membrane and the release of the nuclear protein HMGB1 and ATP into the extracellular space. ICD inducers of various nature (chemotherapy drugs, cytotoxic proteins, and oncolytic viruses), as well as physical methods, are classified in the current review.

Immunogenic Cell Death in Cancer Therapy