The importance of immunogenic cell death for modern tumor immunotherapy

Immunogenic cell death is characterized by the release of molecules with damage-associated molecular patterns which can subsequently activate immune system. Only specific types of cell death can release these molecules. Classification of immunogenic cell death types and understanding of their initiation can be used for activation of the immune system against cancer cells. Simultaneously, it is necessary to understand different mechanisms, how the molecules with damage-associated molecular patterns work. Molecules with damage-associated molecular patterns which are studied the most, not only for their use in anticancer therapy, are type I interferons, calreticulin, high mobility group box 1 protein and heat shock proteins 70 and 90. Key words: immunogenic cell death, molecules with damage-associated molecular patterns, cancer, immunotherapy, type I interferons, calreticulin, high mobility group box 1 protein, ATP, heat shock protein 70, heat shock protein 9