A novel target for combination immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer: IL-1β mediates immunosuppression in the tumour microenvironment

Br J Cancer. 2021 May;124(11):1754-1756. doi: 10.1038/s41416-021-01303-2. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Abstract

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has demonstrated efficacy in multiple cancers, offering the potential of long-term disease control not achievable with cytotoxic or targeted therapies. However, the field has not yet achieved the crucial next steps - the expansion of the response rate and achievement of clinical efficacy in so-called "cold tumours". Mechanistic studies of tumour-type specific immunosuppressive pathways can reveal underlying biological hurdles to immunotherapy and offer new therapeutic insights. Our finding that tumour-derived IL-1β mediates immunosuppression in pancreatic cancer has precipitated a new clinical trial.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Immune Tolerance / genetics*
  • Immunotherapy* / methods
  • Immunotherapy* / trends
  • Interleukin-1beta / physiology*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / trends
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / immunology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Tumor Microenvironment / genetics
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • IL1B protein, human
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Interleukin-1beta