Application of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in immunotherapy of cancer

Abstract

Cancer is a disease that developed from uncontrolled cells and has become one of the most medical problems that endanger human health. Currently, immunotherapy has replaced traditional treatment acts as the major therapy for cancer patients. The immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), which is highly specific and affinity to the immune checkpoint that suppress immune response during tumorigenesis, shows promising result during the clinical study and research. PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1 are the major targets for ICI development, there already have six FDA-approved inhibitors that target PD-1 and PD-L1 are used as a first-line treatment for many cancers. The clinical study of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitor application in patients with different cancers not only reveals their efficacy and safety but also indicates the onset of many adverse effects, which are usually called immune-related adverse events (irAE) and could be fatal in particular conditions. However, some research suggests the presence of irAE is a marker for effective of ICI therapy. Therefore, this essay will mainly focus on the application of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors and the efficacy of each inhibitor has been testified via multiple clinical research. The common PD-1 and PD-L1 blockade-associated irAEs also have been discussed and their degree of risk is assessed. This essay also discussed the method that is frequently used in the management of irAEs.