Abstract
Abstract The existence of multiple non-redundant inhibitory pathways that limit T cell responses offers novel strategies for unleasing the immune system to attack cancer cells. The best characterized of these immune checkpoints is CTLA-4, which inhibits T cell proliferation by interfering with the interaction of the costimulatory molecule CD28 with its ligands B7-1 and B7-2 on the surface of antigen presenting cells. Antibodies to CTLA-4 have proven effective against multiple tumor types in both pre-clinical and clinical studies. Ipilimumab, an antibody to human CTLA-4, showed long term (>10 years) survival benefit in about 20% of patients in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in late stage melanoma. In 2011 it was approved by the FDA for treatment of late stage melanoma and is now a standard of care for that disease. The mechanism(s) of action of anti-CTLA-4 are still being elucidated. We and others have shown that CLTA-4 limits T cell proliferation by a cell intrinsic mechanism. However, there is also evidence that anti-CTLA-4 has to engage the target on both effector (Teff) and regulatory (Treg) T cells. Thus anti-CTLA-4 exerts its anti-tumor effects by multiple mechanisms. PD-1, another checkpoint, recruits a phosphatase and seems to interfere with T cell antigen receptor mediated signaling. It has two ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, which are both expressed on dendritic cells. However, many tumor cells also express PD-L1. Antibodies to PD-1 and PD-L1 have both shown objective responses against several tumor types in clinical trials with response rates of about 25% . A recent phase II trial of a combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 in melanoma showed objective responses in about 50% of late stage melanoma patients. These studies and their implications for cancer therapy will be discussed. Citation Format: James P. Allison. Immune checkpoint blockade in cancer therapy: New insights and opportunities. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Angiogenesis and Vascular Normalization: Bench to Bedside to Biomarkers; Mar 5-8, 2015; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl):Abstract nr IA19.
Published Version
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