Metastasizing cancer cells release migrasomes containing tumour-specific antigens that can promote T cell responses.

A study in Nature by Cui et al. reports that sympathetic nerve activity during the growth phase of hair follicles activates endogenous retroviruses, leading to an innate immune response that destabilizes immune privilege.

Immune-based therapies have transformed the treatment of cancer and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, but treatment is often suboptimal and the ability to predictably harness the immune system for new therapies remains limited. The pharmacology of immune-based drugs may be distinct from that of many traditional therapies. Here, I outline four principles of ‘immunopharmacology’ that provide a framework for understanding how the immune system responds to therapeutic perturbation. These principles may help to better define how immune-based therapies work and identify new opportunities for drugging the immune system.

A study in Immunity reports that protease allergens ‘train’ sensory neurons through metabolic remodelling to enhance the response to re-exposure.

By exploring five enduring “negative spaces” in multiple sclerosis (MS) research, Kaufmann, Gold and Fugger challenge simple explanations of disease pathogenesis. Their Comment argues that MS emerges from complex interactions between immunity, infection and tissue resilience, offering a fresh framework for understanding progression and therapeutic intervention.

As Nature Reviews Immunology marks its twenty-fifth anniversary, leading immunologists reflect on the questions, challenges and conditions that will shape the future of the field.