Fukumura et al.  Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2018. doi:10.1038/nrclinonc.2018.29

Swoboda A & Nanda R. Curr Breast Cancer Rep 2017. doi:10.1007/s12609-017-0252-9

Solid tumors are often not responsive to immunotherapy but recent findings suggest that epigenetic modifying drugs can prime antitumor immunity. This review describes how DNA methyltransferase inhibitors may aid the establishment of antitumor immunity. Summary points Two DNA methyltransferases inhibitors (DNMTi) are currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration: azacitidine and decitabine. DNMTi have been shown to increase tumor immunogenicity by upregulating the production of the class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC I) whilst also increasing the levels of antigens displayed in MHC I, in particular cancer-testis antigens. Furthermore, DNMTi have been demonstrated to stimulate natural killer cell- and CD8 T cell-mediated cytotoxicity by inducing the expression of chemokines and activating associated ligands on the surface of tumors cells. DNMTi can also decrease natural and tumor-induced immunosuppression by regulatory adaptive and innate immune cells. The ability of DNMTi to widely prime the immune system makes them a great candidate for combinations with other immunotherapies, particularly immune checkpoint blockade. Multiple phase 1 clinical trials employing DNMTi in combination with a variety of immune-based therapies are currently ongoing. Saleh MH, Wang L, & Goldberg MS. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 65: 787–796. doi:10.1007/s00262-015-1776-3

Baybutt TR, Aka AA & Snook AE. Curr Colorectal Cancer Rep 2017. doi:10.1007/s11888-017-0384-3

This review highlights advances in predicting therapeutic response to traditional and targeted therapies in patients with bladder cancer, with a

Therapies that treat cancer by modulating the immune response have led to unprecedented results in patients with advanced-stage tumors. This review discusses the latest advances in immunotherapy and its role in the future of cancer treatment. Summary points Cancer immunotherapies have the potential to generate robust antitumor responses; this can be achieved through several methods, such as modulatory antibodies or adoptive cellular therapy. Since 2010, clinical trials using different immunotherapeutic approaches to treat patients with several tumor types have yielded unprecedented results. In contrast with therapies that act on the tumor itself, immunotherapy-dependent antitumor responses can be sustained after the treatment has finished. The optimal efficacy of immunotherapy will likely be achieved with designs that include combinations of different immunotherapeutic approaches, or immunotherapy combined with other cancer treatments. Khalil​​​​​​​ DN et al.  Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2016; 13: 273–290. doi:10.1038/nrclinonc.2016.25

Advisory Board member Jasmine Zain discusses the development of various immunotherapy approaches and their potential clinical benefits for patients with blood cancers.