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Biomarker predictors for immunotherapy benefit in breast: beyond PD-L1
Jamaal L James1,2, Justin M Balko1,3,4,2
1Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville TN.
Purpose Of Review:
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has changed the clinical course of multiple cancer types and durable responses have now been observed in breast cancer (BC) patients. Most data suggest that, compared to other subtypes, triple-negative BC (TNBC) patients are more responsive to ICB, and anti-PD-L1 therapy is now approved in PD-L1+ metastatic TNBC, in combination with chemotherapy.
Recent Findings:
Nearly 40% of PD-L1+ TNBC patients did not respond to this combination. Thus, additional biomarkers appear to be necessary to more precisely identify potential responders. A comprehensive analysis of the breast tumor microenvironment (TME) and peripheral blood may identify potential biomarkers for a more accurate selection of patients likely to respond to ICB.
Summary:
Herein, we summarize key features of the breast TME, and beyond, that may hold predictive power in determining immunotherapy benefit. Incorporation of these features in controlled clinical trials may help further guide personalized care for BC immunotherapy.
