Immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of virus-associated cancers

J Hematol Oncol. 2019 Jun 10;12(1):58. doi: 10.1186/s13045-019-0743-4.

Abstract

Among all malignant tumors that threaten human health, virus-related tumors account for a large proportion. The treatment of these tumors is still an urgent problem to be resolved. The immune system is the "guard" of the human body, resisting the invasion of foreign substances such as viruses. Studies have shown that immunotherapy has clinical significance in the treatment of a variety of tumors. In particular, the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in recent years has opened a new door to cancer therapy. Considering the potential role of ICIs in the treatment of virus-related cancers, we focused on their therapeutic effect in virus-associated cancers and explored whether the therapeutic effect in virus-associated cancers was related to virus infection status. Although there is no clear statistical significance indicates that ICIs are more effective in virus-associated cancers than non-virus infections, the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of virus-related cancers is promising. We believe that this research provides a good direction for the implementation of individualized precision medicine.

Keywords: Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Immunotherapy; Virus-associated cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / therapy
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / complications
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / therapy
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / virology
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Neoplasms / etiology
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Neoplasms / virology*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / complications
  • Papillomavirus Infections / therapy
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological