The development of checkpoint inhibitors and their clinical use

Supplementum 01/2019 Imunoterapie

MUDr. Radek Lakomý, Ph.D.; MUDr. Alexandr Poprach, Ph.D.

Klinika komplexní onkologické péče, Masarykův onkologický ústav a LF MU, Brno

SUMMARY

The progress in anticancer immunotherapy has been remarkable in the last decade. The concept of immune checkpoint blocade with monoclonal antibodies (checkpoint inhibitors) has opened a new way in the treatment of cancers. Immune checkpoint inhibitors restore and augment antitumor functions of cytotoxic T cells. Efficacy and acceptable safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors have been demonstrated in many clinical trials. Checkpoint inhibitors are now approved for treatment of variety cancers and intensive research on others is under way. There are still many challenges. More than anything else we urgently need reliable biomarkers of efficacy and toxicity. Then we will be able to better select suitable patients for treatment. Immunotherapy is rightly considered to be the fifth pillar of anticancer treatment, next to surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

KEY WORDS

tumor, immunotherapy, history, checkpoints, inhibitors