Holistic Understanding of the Current Landscape, Challenges, and Potential Advancements in the Integration of Immunotherapy with Traditional Cancer Treatments: A Narrative Review

Immunotherapy is emerging as a transformative approach in cancer treatment. This review evaluates how combining immunotherapy with conventional therapies may enhance efficacy and overcome resistance in cancer treatment. A systematic literature search was conducted using major scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search focused on human-based studies published between 2003 and 2023. Inclusion criteria targeted high-quality, peer-reviewed research articles assessing immunotherapy in combination with conventional treatments. The integration of immunotherapy with standard treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and targeted therapy has demonstrated improved clinical outcomes. These include higher response rates, prolonged survival, and better treatment adherence. The synergistic effects are largely due to immunotherapy’s capacity to modulate the immune system and enhance antitumor responses, particularly through immune checkpoint inhibitors. Despite these advantages, challenges remain in optimizing dosage, treatment sequencing, and managing toxicity. Additionally, the complexities of the tumor microenvironment, lack of reliable predictive biomarkers, and standardized combination protocols remain significant barriers.Recent innovations like spatial transcriptomics provide deeper insights into immune-tumor interactions, aiding the development of more precise and individualized treatment strategies. Combining immunotherapy with conventional cancer therapies holds promising potential to reshape cancer treatment paradigms. To fully realize these benefits, ongoing research, advanced technologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential for refining combination strategies and advancing personalized cancer care.