Immuno-Oncology: A Brief Overview

Abstract

Pioneering work has unraveled the role of the immune system in the development and control of cancer. This knowledge has set the basis for the successful implementation of immunotherapy into the standard of care for a large number of cancer types. Based on response rates and prolongation of overall survival, immunotherapeutic approaches have been approved in a growing number of tumor diseases. Activation or therapeutic utilization of Tcells represent the basis of these concepts. Checkpoint inhibitory antibodies inhibiting CTLA-4, PD1 and PD-L1 receptors and ligands induce long-term clinical tumor control in a significant number of cancer patients including metastatic melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. As an alternative concept of T cell activation, the dual CD19 - CD3 targeting bispecific antibody blinatumomab has been approved for refractory acute lymphatic B-cell leukemia (ALL). Moreover, T cells genetically engineered with an anti-CD19-chimeric antigen receptor have also been approved for ALL and malignant B-cell lymphoma by the food and drug administration (FDA). In all of these immunotherapies, severe side effects may occur and require a well-trained team of physicians. Moreover, the growing number of clinically investigated and validated novel compounds as well as cellular therapeutics accentuate the complexity and challenge of this treatment modality. This review highlights the most prominent recent clinical developments in the field of immuno-oncology.