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Emerging Tissue and Blood-Based Biomarkers that may Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition

  • Melanoma (RJ Sullivan, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

The immune system plays an essential role in the surveillance and eradication of neoplastic cells. This interaction is modulated via immunologic regulators (checkpoints). Antibodies that block the checkpoints cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), and the programmed cell death protein 1 pathway (PD1/PD-L1) have demonstrated efficacy in a number of malignancies. However, response rates are variable, and administration of these antibodies can be associated with immune-related adverse events. Therefore, researchers are engaged in an effort to discover biomarkers that may predict response to these agents. This review focuses on potential blood and tumor-based biomarkers that have been assessed in patients treated with these checkpoint-blocking antibodies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Claire F. Friedman & Michael A. Postow

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  1. Claire F. Friedman
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Correspondence to Claire F. Friedman.

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Conflict of Interest

Claire F. Friedman has received travel reimbursement from Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Michael A. Postow has received research funding through a grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb and has received honoraria from Merck, compensation from Caladrius, and Amgen for service on advisory boards, and honoraria and travel reimbursement from Bristol-Myers Squibb.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Melanoma

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Friedman, C.F., Postow, M.A. Emerging Tissue and Blood-Based Biomarkers that may Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Curr Oncol Rep 18, 21 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-016-0509-x

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