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Recent findings on the PD-1/PD-L1 Axis in breast cancer: Molecular mechanisms, immunotherapeutic potentials, and
Ronak Ahmadi1, Kamran Fakhimi Sadeghi2, Ommolbanin Sharmsar3
1Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Medical Science, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract:
Originally, breast cancer was not thought to be a very immunogenic malignancy. Recent research, however, has revealed that certain aggressive triple-negative breast tumors are immunogenic and demonstrate chemoresistance. In several cancer forms that are resistant to traditional treatments, including non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, the discovery of immunotherapy via immune checkpoint blockage produced long-lasting results. Multiple additional cancer types have also seen notable improvements because of immunotherapy. But one of the malignancies that hasn't yet benefited from immunotherapy's surge is breast cancer (BC). When given as single-drug treatment or in conjunction with traditional therapies, PD1/PD-L1 pathway antagonists have shown encouraging outcomes in the evaluation of BC in the past few years, specifically in the triple-negative subtype, which has an aggressive profile and poor prognosis. Nevertheless, tumor cells can evade the immune system's activity by suppressing cytotoxic T cells through these checkpoint pathways. The T cells can start directly eliminating tumor cells and secreting immunostimulatory cytokines once they are awakened. The findings of the most current research assessing immune checkpoint inhibitors in BC will be presented in this review. In the present review study, we emphasize in PD-1/PD-L1 molecular mechanisms, upstream signaling pathways, clinical implications, and therapeutic potential in BC.
Insights
Immune checkpoint inhibitors show promise for aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, awakening T cells to fight tumors. Further research explores PD-1/PD-L1 pathways for improved breast cancer immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Breast cancer (BC) was historically considered non-immunogenic.
- Aggressive triple-negative breast tumors exhibit immunogenicity and chemoresistance.
- Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint blockade, has succeeded in other resistant cancers like melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in breast cancer.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway antagonists in BC.
- To detail the molecular mechanisms, signaling pathways, and clinical implications of ICIs in BC.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature and clinical findings on ICIs in breast cancer.
- Analysis of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway antagonists and their effects on cytotoxic T cells.
- Examination of molecular mechanisms and upstream signaling involved in immune evasion.
Main Results:
- PD-1/PD-L1 pathway antagonists show encouraging outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer.
- ICIs can awaken suppressed cytotoxic T cells, enabling tumor cell elimination.
- Tumor cells utilize checkpoint pathways to evade immune system activity.
Conclusions:
- Immunotherapy, specifically targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, offers significant therapeutic potential for breast cancer, especially the triple-negative subtype.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms and clinical implications is crucial for advancing breast cancer immunotherapy.
- Further research is warranted to optimize ICI strategies for improved patient outcomes in breast cancer.
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