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Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy for infectious diseases: learning from the cancer paradigm

Martin Rao1, Davide Valentini2, Ernest Dodoo3

  • 1Division of Therapeutic Immunology (TIM), Department of Laboratory Medicine (LABMED), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
|February 7, 2017
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, like anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and anti-PD-L1 therapies, show promise for treating chronic infections. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy and safety in infectious diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Immune checkpoint pathways are crucial for regulating immune responses and preventing autoimmunity.
  • Aberrant immune checkpoint activity is linked to poor outcomes in cancer and chronic infections.
  • Host-directed therapy (HDT) using immune checkpoint blockade has transformed cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the application of anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 therapies in chronic infectious diseases.
  • To discuss potential challenges and safety considerations based on cancer treatment experiences.

Main Methods:

  • Literature searches were conducted using PubMed, PubMed Central, and Google.
  • Keywords included immune checkpoint inhibition, HDT, T cell exhaustion, cancer immunotherapy, anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, and specific chronic infections.
  • Search results were filtered for relevance.

Main Results:

  • Monoclonal antibodies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway are being explored for chronic infections.
  • Clinical insights from cancer immunotherapy with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors offer valuable lessons.
  • Potential pitfalls and precautions for using these therapies in infectious diseases are outlined.

Conclusions:

  • Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy presents a promising adjunctive treatment strategy for chronic infections like tuberculosis and HIV.
  • Randomized clinical trials are essential to validate the effectiveness and safety of these therapies in infectious disease contexts.
Keywords:
Anti-PD-1Anti-PD-L1CancerHost-directed therapyInfectious diseaseT-cells

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