Molecular prediction of clinical response to anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors: New perspectives for precision medicine and mass spectrometry-based investigations

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) acting as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are among the most frequently used immunotherapies in oncology. However, precision medicine approaches to adapt the treatment to the patient are still poorly exploited. Given the risk of severe adverse reactions, predicting patient eligibility for ICI therapy represents a great asset for precision medicine. Today, the extended panel of mass spectrometric approaches, accompanied by newly developed sample preparation methods is a strategy of choice for responder and non-responder stratification on a molecular basis, and early detection of resistance. In this perspective article, we review the biodisposition of mAbs, the interest in molecular stratification of patients treated with these mAbs, and the possible analytical strategies to achieve this goal, with a major emphasis on mass spectrometric approaches.

Keywords: PD-1/PD-L1 pathway; immune checkpoint inhibitors; mass spectrometry; predictive biomarkers.