The evolving landscape of immunotherapy in solid tumors

J Surg Oncol. 2021 Mar;123(3):798-806. doi: 10.1002/jso.26416.

Abstract

While surgical resection, local and cytotoxic therapies have long formed the basis of cancer care, immunotherapy now plays a key role in supplementing and even replacing these agents in the first line. Here we review the early success of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 blockade and discuss biomarkers of therapeutic response. We next highlight a select group of novel targets in Phase III trials both as monotherapies and in combination with PD-1 inhibitors. Finally, we discuss innovations which seek to improve outcomes in therapy-resistant solid tumors.

Keywords: cancer; immunotherapy; solid tumors; tumor immunology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • CTLA-4 Antigen / antagonists & inhibitors
  • CTLA-4 Antigen / immunology
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / immunology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Substances

  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • CTLA4 protein, human
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • PDCD1 protein, human
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor