Biomarkers of Response to Immune Modulatory Therapies in Cancer

Abstract

Immune modulatory antibody-based therapies serve to augment and direct the endogenous immune response against cancer. Significant efficacy has been demonstrated in multiple subtypes of solid and haematological malignancies. Despite great promise, responses are limited to a fraction of treated patients highlighting the need to decipher underlying mechanisms of response and resistance. Here we review progress in this area with a focus on the identification of candidate predictive biomarkers of response.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors: The linchpins of modern immunotherapy

“…One of the most active areas of research pertaining to ICIs is the identification of practical, consistent biomarkers to identify patients likely to respond to therapy. This topic has been comprehensively reviewed recently . The best‐characterized biomarkers based on clinical outcomes are summarized in Figure .…”

“…This topic has been comprehensively reviewed recently. 33,[124][125][126] The best-characterized biomarkers based on clinical outcomes are summarized in Figure 3. The major challenges in identification and validation of biomarkers for response to checkpoint blockade include the complexity and dynamic nature of the immune TME, with significant heterogeneity between tumor subtypes, between individual patients with a subtype, between primary and metastatic sites, and even architecturally within tumor deposits.…”