Immune evasion, dysregulation, and emerging immunotherapies for invasive fungal infections in the immunocompromised host

-and the host immune system, emphasizing both conserved and species-specific immune evasion mechanisms. These sophisticated strategies include surface antigen masking, biofilm formation, metabolic adaptation, and the secretion of immunomodulatory effectors, which collectively facilitate fungal persistence and dissemination. In the immunocompromised host, these evasion tactics are compounded by profound immune dysregulation, characterized by aberrant activation of the NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, deficiencies in T helper type 1 (Th1) and type 17 (Th17) responses, T-cell exhaustion, and upregulation of inhibitory checkpoints such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). These disruptions not only compromise pathogen clearance but also exacerbate immunopathology and tissue damage. Advancing beyond conventional antifungal paradigms, we highlight a dual-track therapeutic framework that integrates direct antifungal activity with tailored immunomodulation. Promising therapeutic avenues encompass immune checkpoint inhibitors, cytokine therapies, prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and adoptive cellular therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells. We further discuss the integration of multi-omics profiling and personalized immune monitoring to guide precision immunotherapy. Finally, we outline critical translational challenges and future directions aimed at improving clinical outcomes for immunocompromised patients afflicted with IFIs.

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Publication Details

Journal
Frontiers in Immunology
Published
2026-04-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1788786
Primary Topic
Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Immune evasion, dysregulation, and emerging immunotherapies for invasive fungal infections in the immunocompromised host

Haiying Liu, Weijuan Huang, Shuhua Hu, Chunyan Wang et al.
Frontiers in Immunology
Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
article

Immune evasion, dysregulation, and emerging immunotherapies for invasive fungal infections in the immunocompromised host

Haiying Liu, Weijuan Huang, Shuhua Hu, Chunyan Wang, Congfu Huang
article en

Abstract

-and the host immune system, emphasizing both conserved and species-specific immune evasion mechanisms. These sophisticated strategies include surface antigen masking, biofilm formation, metabolic adaptation, and the secretion of immunomodulatory effectors, which collectively facilitate fungal persistence and dissemination. In the immunocompromised host, these evasion tactics are compounded by profound immune dysregulation, characterized by aberrant activation of the NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, deficiencies in T helper type 1 (Th1) and type 17 (Th17) responses, T-cell exhaustion, and upregulation of inhibitory checkpoints such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). These disruptions not only compromise pathogen clearance but also exacerbate immunopathology and tissue damage. Advancing beyond conventional antifungal paradigms, we highlight a dual-track therapeutic framework that integrates direct antifungal activity with tailored immunomodulation. Promising therapeutic avenues encompass immune checkpoint inhibitors, cytokine therapies, prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and adoptive cellular therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells. We further discuss the integration of multi-omics profiling and personalized immune monitoring to guide precision immunotherapy. Finally, we outline critical translational challenges and future directions aimed at improving clinical outcomes for immunocompromised patients afflicted with IFIs.

Frontiers in ImmunologyVol. 17
Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital (CN), Fourth People's Hospital of Shenzhen (CN)
Shantou University, Shantou University Medical College
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 30%
Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
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