Advance of immune checkpoint inhibitors in CNS disease

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, innovative immunotherapies that include programmed cell death 1, programmed cell death ligand 1, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 inhibitors, have achieved unprecedented benefits in a variety of malignancies. Activation of immune response in body organs may cause immune-related adverse reactions involving the central nervous system. There is growing evidence that immune checkpoint plays an important role in the central nervous system. Immune checkpoints play key roles in regulating the immune response of the central nervous system in a variety of situations, and immune checkpoint modulators are promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of central nervous system disorders such as brain tumors, Alzheimer's disease, ischemic stroke, multiple sclerosis and cognitive function. Further understanding of immune checkpoints signaling of cell types such as glial cells, neurons, and peripheral immune cells in the central nervous system will provide clues to immune regulation and barrier-breaking strategies for treating brain diseases. This article will discuss the application of common immune checkpoints in the treatment of central nervous system diseases, especially programmed cell death protein-1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4.