Immunotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Lung Cancer. 2014 Aug;85(2):101-9. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2014.05.005. Epub 2014 May 14.

Abstract

Advances in the understanding of the role of the immune system in tumor immunosurveillance have resulted in the recognition that tumors can evade immune destruction via the dysregulation of co-inhibitory or checkpoint signals. This has led to the development of a generation immunotherapeutic agents targeting the immune checkpoint pathway. Recent early phase studies of immune checkpoint modulators, such as CTLA-4, PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in NSCLC have reported promising results with prolonged clinical responses and tolerable toxicity. This article provides an overview of co-stimulatory and inhibitory molecules that regulate the immune response to tumors, recent therapies that have been developed to exploit these interactions and the role of predictive biomarkers in treatment selection.

Keywords: CTLA-4; Immunotherapy; Ipilimumab; Nivolumab; Non-small cell lung cancer; PD-L1.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / therapy*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Costimulatory and Inhibitory T-Cell Receptors / genetics
  • Costimulatory and Inhibitory T-Cell Receptors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Costimulatory and Inhibitory T-Cell Receptors