Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy of human cancer: past, present, and future

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Cancer Immunotherapy

Background:

• The programmed death-1/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) pathway plays a crucial role in immune evasion by tumors.
• Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have emerged as a significant therapeutic strategy in oncology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the history and development of anti-PD therapy.
• To elucidate the fundamental principles underlying this immunotherapeutic approach.
• To highlight the distinct mechanisms of anti-PD therapy compared to other immunotherapies.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical basic research and clinical trial data.
• Analysis of the unique principles of anti-PD therapy: tumor site immune modulation, targeting tumor-induced immune defects, and repairing ongoing tumor immunity.

Main Results:

• Anti-PD therapy has demonstrated significant potential in treating advanced solid tumors.
• The efficacy of anti-PD therapy is attributed to its ability to modulate the tumor microenvironment and restore anti-tumor immune responses.

Conclusions:

• Anti-PD therapy represents a distinct and promising immunotherapeutic strategy for a broad range of human cancers.
• The principles guiding anti-PD therapy are expected to inform the development of future, more effective, and safer cancer immunotherapies.