{
  "abstract": "The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex ecosystem that dynamically regulates tumor progression and therapeutic responses. Within this environment, innate immune cells play prominent dual roles, acting as both critical mediators of anti-tumor surveillance and facilitators of tumor immune escape. This review comprehensively synthesizes the phenotypic plasticity and functional heterogeneity of key innate immune cell subsets in tumor immunity, including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), natural killer (NK) cells, tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs), dendritic cells (DCs), as well as emerging players such as γδ T cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). Mechanistically, we dissect core pathways governing innate immune cell function in the TME: the cGAS-STING pathway regulates type I interferon responses and immunogenicity; the NF-κB/STAT3 network coordinates inflammation and immunosuppression; the PD-1/PD-L1 axis mediates T cell exhaustion and innate cell dysfunction. Additionally, tumor-driven metabolic reprogramming and extracellular vesicles (EVs) intercellular communication collectively shape the immunosuppressive TME. We further evaluate emerging therapeutic strategies targeting innate immunity. This narrative review provides a comprehensive mechanistic framework and theoretical basis for developing precise, innate immunity-targeted cancer immunotherapies.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University",
    "Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University",
    "School of Life Sciences, Jilin University"
  ],
  "article_type": "research support, non u.s. gov't",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Songhang Xing"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Jiayu Zhang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Shuang Wang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yuan Hao"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Dan Huang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Manwei Hao"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Wurihan Bao"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Xiaojie Qu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yanyan Chi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Xuefeng Li"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9dhac553ppbmw.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fimmu.2026.1923822",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13678532",
  "id": "9dhac553ppbmw",
  "issns": [
    "1664-3224"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1923822/full",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2403|Immune cells in cancer"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220446418",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13678532?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13678532",
  "pmid": "42899013",
  "published": "2026-10-05",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9dhac553ppbmw.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:15Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fimmu.2026.1923822",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1923822/full"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:37Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42899013",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42899013"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:2403|Immune cells in cancer",
      "subfield": "immunology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Innate immune cells in tumor immunity: dual roles, mechanistic insights, and therapeutic opportunities",
  "title_text": "Innate immune cells in tumor immunity: dual roles, mechanistic insights, and therapeutic opportunities",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:37Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9dhac553ppbmw",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Immunology",
  "versions": []
}