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Novel Immunotherapy Combinations

  • Melanoma (RJ Sullivan, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Oncology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The last decade witnessed an explosion in immunotherapeutic agent approvals for various malignancies. The success of immune checkpoint inhibitors (CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1) in melanoma quickly sprung to other cancer types and are considered the emerging face of oncology.

Recent Findings

Antibodies to CTLA-4 were first to enter the field, quickly followed by PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Combination anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies were investigated, and after demonstrating improved responses, rapidly gained approval. Certain tumor types previously considered non-immunogenic also demonstrated durable responses which has been a remarkable discovery. However, not all tumor types respond to immunotherapies and it is widely recognized that tumor-specific immune inflammatory status predicts the best responders. Ongoing translational work indicates specific upregulation in additional immune checkpoints that circumvent response to anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies.

Summary

Here, we provide a comprehensive review of promising therapies on the horizon with unique combinations designed to overcome resistance or expand the pool of treatment responders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 1025 Walnut Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Babar Bashir & Melissa A. Wilson

  2. Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, JAH 368, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Babar Bashir

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  1. Babar Bashir
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  2. Melissa A. Wilson
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Correspondence to Melissa A. Wilson.

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Babar Bashir declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Melissa A. Wilson has received compensation from Bristol-Myers Squibb for service on an advisory board.

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Bashir, B., Wilson, M.A. Novel Immunotherapy Combinations. Curr Oncol Rep 21, 96 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-019-0851-x

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