Molecular targeted drugs and immunity

Molecular targeted therapy was largely developed as a consequence of advances in the understanding of the molecular biology of cancer. It was also developed in response to the challenge of optimizing antitumor activity while decreasing nonspecific toxicity. Besides the direct effect on tumor cells, several molecular targeted drugs have been shown to modulate immune responses against cancer including the decreasing number of regulatory T cells (Treg) and activating NK cells. In this review, we focus on recent reports which show the interaction of molecular targeted drugs with immune response. In the near future, combinations of molecular targeted drugs with new immunotherapeutic approaches might become a reality.