Work

The role of neoantigens in response to immune checkpoint blockade

Year: 2016

Type: review

Abstract: Immune checkpoint blockade has demonstrated substantial promise for the treatment of several advanced malignancies. These agents activate the immune system to attack tumor cells. For example, agents targeting CTLA4 and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) have resulted in impressive response rates and, in some cases, durable remissions. Neoantigens are mutations that encode immunologically active proteins that can cause the immune system to recognize the affected cell as foreign. Recent data have made it clear that these mutations are, in large part, the functional targets of immune checkpoint blockade. This review summarizes the key discoveries leading up to this important conclusion and discusses possible applications of neoantigens in cancer therapy.

Source: International Immunology

DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxw019

Authors: Nadeem Riaz, Luc Morris, Jonathan J. Havel, Vladimir Makarov, Alexis Desrichard, Timothy A. Chan

Institution: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Language: English

Topic: Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research