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Spectrum and Clinical Activity of PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors: Regulatory Approval and Under Development

  • Immuno-oncology (RM Bukowski and JH Finke, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Oncology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The aim of this review is to highlight the clinical development of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in cancer therapy. We focus on detailing the registration trials that have led to FDA-approved indications of anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 therapies and future strategies.

Recent Findings

The number of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors approved and in studies continues to grow, in different scenarios. Although the first wave of approvals included advanced cancers, localized disease is under growing interest in recent trials and approvals. Several of these agents are migrating from a monotherapy strategy to combinations (especially with targeted agents and chemotherapy). To date, several studies are being conducted for a better understanding of predictive biomarkers, mechanisms of resistance, optimal treatment duration, and immune-related toxicities.

Summary

This article summarizes the recent history of modern cancer immunotherapy, provides an overview of novel drug-development considerations, and thus, illustrates the opportunities these new generations of immunotherapies represent.

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Abbreviations

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

HNSCC:

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

MCC:

Merkel cell carcinoma

MSI-H:

Microsatellite instability-high

NSCLC:

Non-small cell lung cancer

PMBCL:

Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma

RCC:

Renal cell carcinoma

SCLC:

Small cell lung cancer

TNBC:

Triple negative breast cancer

CSCC:

Cutaneous squamous cell cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oncology Center, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Dona Adma Jafet, 91, São Paulo, 01308-050, Brazil

    Leandro Jonata Carvalho Oliveira, Aline Bobato Lara Gongora & Denis Leonardo Fontes Jardim

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  1. Leandro Jonata Carvalho Oliveira
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Dr. Jardim receives speaker fees from Roche, Janssen, Astellas, MSD, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Libbs, as well as consultant fees from Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Libbs. Dr. Oliveira and Dr. Gongora have no conflicts of interest.

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Oliveira, L.J.C., Gongora, A.B.L. & Jardim, D.L.F. Spectrum and Clinical Activity of PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors: Regulatory Approval and Under Development. Curr Oncol Rep 22, 70 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-020-00928-5

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