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Biomarkers for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Mediated Tumor Response and Adverse Events
1Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
Abstract:
In the last decade, inhibitors targeting immune checkpoint molecules such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) brought about a major paradigm shift in cancer treatment. These immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) improved the overall survival of a variety of cancer such as malignant melanoma and non-small lung cancer. In addition, numerous clinical trials for additional indication of ICIs including adjuvant and neo-adjuvant therapies are also currently ongoing. Therefore, more and more patients will receive ICIs in the future. However, despite the improved outcome of the cancer treatment by ICIs, the efficacy remains still limited and tumor regression have not been obtained in many cancer patients. In addition, treatment with ICIs is also associated with substantial toxicities, described as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Therefore, biomarkers to predict tumor response and occurrence of irAEs by the treatment with ICIs are required to avoid overtreatment of ICIs and minimize irAEs development. Whereas, numerous factors have been reported as potential biomarkers for tumor response to ICIs, factors for predicting irAE have been less reported. In this review, we show recent advances in the understanding of biomarkers for tumor response and occurrence of irAEs in cancer patients treated with ICIs.
Insights
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) advance cancer therapy but have limited efficacy and cause toxicities. This review explores biomarkers predicting ICI response and immune-related adverse events (irAEs).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 have revolutionized cancer treatment, improving survival in melanoma and lung cancer.
- Despite successes, ICI efficacy is limited, and treatments are associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs).
- Predictive biomarkers are crucial to optimize ICI therapy and mitigate toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding biomarkers for predicting tumor response to ICIs.
- To summarize current knowledge on biomarkers for predicting the occurrence of irAEs in patients receiving ICIs.
- To highlight the need for improved predictive tools in ICI therapy.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of recent studies on biomarkers for ICI therapy.
- Analysis of reported factors associated with tumor response and irAEs.
- Synthesis of current understanding regarding predictive biomarkers in oncology.
Main Results:
- Numerous factors have been identified as potential biomarkers for predicting tumor response to ICIs.
- Fewer factors have been reported for predicting irAEs compared to tumor response.
- Ongoing research aims to identify and validate robust biomarkers for both efficacy and toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Biomarkers are essential for personalizing ICI treatment, maximizing efficacy, and minimizing irAEs.
- Further research is needed to identify and validate reliable biomarkers for irAE prediction.
- Advances in biomarker discovery will enhance the clinical utility of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer care.
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