Biomarkers for precision immunotherapy in the metastatic setting: hope or reality?

Ecancermedicalscience. 2020 Dec 3:14:1150. doi: 10.3332/ecancer.2020.1150. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Precision immunotherapy is a crucial approach to improve the efficacy of anti-cancer treatments, particularly in the metastatic setting. In this respect, accurate patient selection takes advantage of the multidimensional integration of patients' clinical information and tumour-specific biomarkers status. Among these biomarkers, programmed death-ligand 1, tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, microsatellite instability, mismatch repair and tumour mutational burden have been widely investigated. However, novel tumour-specific biomarkers and testing methods will further improve patients' outcomes. Here, we discuss the currently available strategies for the implementation of a precision immunotherapy approach in the clinical management of metastatic solid tumours and highlight future perspectives.

Keywords: PD-L1; TILs; TMB; biomarkers; immunotherapy; mismatch repair.

Publication types

  • Review