Prognostic and Predictive Immunohistochemistry-Based Biomarkers in Cancer and Immunotherapy

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2019 Apr;33(2):291-299. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2018.12.005. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Abstract

Immunotherapy has drastically improved the prognosis of many patients with cancer, but it can also lead to severe immune-related adverse events. Biomarkers, which are molecular markers that indicate a patient's disease outcome or a patient's response to treatment, are therefore crucial to helping clinicians weigh the potential benefits of immunotherapy against its potential toxicities. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has thus far been a powerful technique for discovery and use of biomarkers such as CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. However, IHC has limited reproducibility. Thus, if more IHC-based biomarkers are to reach the clinic, refinement of the technique using multiplexing or automation is key.

Keywords: Checkpoint inhibition; Immunohistochemistry; Immunotherapy; Predictive and prognostic biomarkers.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / immunology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / immunology*
  • Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor