The role of neoantigens in response to immune checkpoint blockade

Nadeem Riaz1, Luc Morris2, Jonathan J Havel3

  • 1Department of Radiation Oncology.

Insights

Immune checkpoint blockade therapies, targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1, show promise in treating advanced cancers. Neoantigens, or tumor-specific mutations, are key targets driving these effective immune responses.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Immune checkpoint blockade therapies, including those targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1, have shown significant efficacy in treating advanced malignancies.
  • These immunotherapies enhance the host immune system's ability to recognize and eliminate cancer cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the discoveries linking neoantigens to the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade.
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential of neoantigens in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of key studies on immune checkpoint inhibitors and neoantigens.
  • Analysis of data demonstrating the role of neoantigens as targets for immune response.

Main Results:

  • Immune checkpoint blockade agents targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1 have led to notable response rates and durable remissions in cancer patients.
  • Neoantigens, arising from tumor-specific mutations, are increasingly recognized as the primary targets of these immune checkpoint blockade therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Neoantigens are crucial functional targets of current immune checkpoint blockade treatments.
  • Understanding neoantigens opens new avenues for developing personalized cancer immunotherapies.

Related Concept Videos

Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
2.1K
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
7.9K
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
17.1K
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity01:26

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and...
1.8K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
2.5K
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
10.3K