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Stimulating CD27 to quantitatively and qualitatively shape adaptive immunity to cancer

Timothy Nj Bullock1

  • 1Department of Pathology and Human Immune Therapy Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.

Current Opinion in Immunology
|March 21, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Cancer immunotherapy can be improved by combining checkpoint blockade with costimulation. Targeting the costimulatory molecule CD27 may expand patient benefits in cancer immunotherapy.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Immunotherapy

Background:

  • The immune system's ability to recognize tumors is known, but clinical success relies on understanding immune cell regulators.
  • Effector cells upregulate checkpoint molecules to limit immunopathology and require costimulation for optimal function.
  • Current immunotherapies blocking checkpoints are most effective with pre-existing anti-tumor responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of the costimulatory molecule CD27 in sculpting immune responses.
  • To discuss preclinical and clinical data on CD27's potential in cancer immunotherapy.
  • To explore the clinical translation of CD27-based cancer therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on immune checkpoints and costimulatory molecules.
  • Analysis of preclinical studies investigating CD27 in cancer models.
  • Examination of clinical trial data involving CD27-targeted therapies.

Main Results:

  • CD27 plays a crucial role in T cell expansion, survival, and differentiation.
  • Combining checkpoint blockade with CD27-mediated costimulation shows promise.
  • Early clinical data suggest potential benefits for a broader patient population.

Conclusions:

  • Coordinating checkpoint blockade with costimulation, particularly via CD27, could enhance cancer immunotherapy efficacy.
  • CD27 represents a promising target for expanding the reach of cancer immunotherapy.
  • Further clinical translation of CD27-based strategies is warranted.

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