Fig. 3

Induction of pyroptosis by therapeutic regimens evokes anti-tumor immune responses. Therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy and CAR T cells, induce pyroptosis in cancer cells. Cancer cells undergoing pyroptotic cell death release pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-18), alarmin (HMGB1, ATP, etc.), and causing intensive inflammation in the local environments. Pyroptosis in cancer generates abundant neoantigens, which are processed by antigen-presenting cells to promote the formation of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), thereby evoking anti-tumor immunity. Combination of pyroptosis-inducible therapeutic regimens with ICIs enhances anti-tumor immune responses and promotes tumor regression, achieving long-term control of cancer