scholarly journals Is There a Place for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Vulvar Neoplasms? A State of the Art Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 190
Author(s):  
Fulvio Borella ◽  
Mario Preti ◽  
Luca Bertero ◽  
Giammarco Collemi ◽  
Isabella Castellano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
Multiple Tumor ◽  
Tumor Types

Vulvar cancer (VC) is a rare neoplasm, usually arising in postmenopausal women, although human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated VC usually develop in younger women. Incidences of VCs are rising in many countries. Surgery is the cornerstone of early-stage VC management, whereas therapies for advanced VC are multimodal and not standardized, combining chemotherapy and radiotherapy to avoid exenterative surgery. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are scarce due to the rarity of the disease and prognosis has not improved. Hence, new therapies are needed to improve the outcomes of these patients. In recent years, improved knowledge regarding the crosstalk between neoplastic and tumor cells has allowed researchers to develop a novel therapeutic approach exploiting these molecular interactions. Both the innate and adaptive immune systems play a key role in anti-tumor immunesurveillance. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated efficacy in multiple tumor types, improving survival rates and disease outcomes. In some gynecologic cancers (e.g., cervical cancer), many studies are showing promising results and a growing interest is emerging about the potential use of ICIs in VC. The aim of this manuscript is to summarize the latest developments in the field of VC immunoncology, to present the role of state-of-the-art ICIs in VC management and to discuss new potential immunotherapeutic approaches.

scholarly journals Enhance the Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Efficacy with Radiotherapy Induced Immunogenic Cell Death: A Comprehensive Review and Latest Developments

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrien Procureur ◽  
Audrey Simonaggio ◽  
Jean-Emmanuel Bibault ◽  
Stéphane Oudard ◽  
Yann-Alexandre Vano
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Tumor Antigens ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Mitotic Cell ◽  
Immunogenic Cell Death ◽  
Dna Damages ◽  
Multiple Tumor ◽  
Tumor Types

The immunogenic cell death (ICD) is defined as a regulated cell death able to induce an adaptive immunity. It depends on different parameters including sufficient antigenicity, adjuvanticity and favorable microenvironment conditions. Radiation therapy (RT), a pillar of modern cancer treatment, is being used in many tumor types in curative, (neo) adjuvant, as well as metastatic settings. The anti-tumor effects of RT have been traditionally attributed to the mitotic cell death resulting from the DNA damages triggered by the release of reactive oxygen species. Recent evidence suggests that RT may also exert its anti-tumor effect by recruiting tumor-specific immunity. RT is able to induce the release of tumor antigens, to act as an immune adjuvant and thus to synergize with the anti-tumor immunity. The advent of new efficient immunotherapeutic agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), in multiple tumor types sheds new light on the opportunity of combining RT and ICI. Here, we will describe the biological and radiobiological rationale of the RT-induced ICD. We will then focus on the interest to combine RT and ICI, from bench to bedside, and summarize the clinical data existing with this combination. Finally, RT technical adaptations to optimize the ICD induction will be discussed.

Association of LRP1B pathogenic genomic alterations with favorable outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibitors across multiple tumor types.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3007-3007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Landon Carter Brown ◽  
Ramy Sedhom ◽  
Eric B Schwartz ◽  
Jason Zhu ◽  
Chester Kao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Multiple Tumor ◽  
Tumor Types

3007 Background: Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1b (LRP1b) is a putative tumor suppressor and one of the most frequently altered genes in cancer. Our prior single-center work suggested that LRP1B alterations may enrich for responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in solid tumors including prostate cancer; however, validation of these findings is needed. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective analysis of patients with LRP1B alterations (on tissue-based next-generation sequencing panels) treated with ICI at Duke, Johns Hopkins (JHU), and University of Michigan (UM). The primary objective was to assess the association between objective response rate (ORR) to ICI and pathogenic LRP1B alterations, defined as deletions or truncating alterations, when compared with LRP1B variants of undetermined significance (VUS), defined as missense mutations not predicted to be pathogenic in COSMIC. Missense changes with a COSCMIC FATHMM score of > 0.8 were categorized separately as likely pathogenic. Summary statistics, ORR, progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were calculated. Results: 101 patients (44 Duke, 35 JHU, 22 UM) with LRP1B alterations were treated with ICI. Median age was 61 (range 32-82). The most common tumor types by alteration (pathogenic or likely pathogenic/VUS%) were lung (33/47%), GI (17/13%), prostate (11/7%), sarcoma (2/9%), melanoma (11/0%), and others (26/24%). 93% of patients received single-agent PD-(L)1 inhibition. The ORR for patients with either pathogenic/likely pathogenic alterations, or VUS alterations was 57% and 18%, respectively. After excluding MSI-high or TMB-high ( > 10 mut/Mb) tumors, ORR was 14/25 (56%) and 6/36 (17%), respectively. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic LRP1B alterations were associated with longer PFS (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.24-0.63) and OS (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.36-0.95). Conclusions: This multicenter study shows impressive and durable objective response rates to ICI for patients harboring pathogenic LRP1B alterations when compared to those with LRP1B VUS, independent of TMB/MSI status. Further mechanistic insights and prospective validation studies are warranted. [Table: see text]

Impact of body mass index on survival rates in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15108-e15108
Author(s):  
Diana Maslov ◽  
Karine Tawagi ◽  
Victoria Simenson ◽  
Helen Yuan ◽  
Cameron Parent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Obese Patients ◽  
Multiple Tumor ◽  
Tumor Types

e15108 Background: Obesity is associated with 13 different cancer types, accounting for 40% of all cancers1. A few studies have linked a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) with longer Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS) from immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI)s in patients with advanced melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma2,3,4. Our study evaluates CPI efficacy in patients with multiple tumor types in relation to Body Mass Index (BMI). Methods: We retrospectively collected data from patients treated with CPIs alone who also received steroids during their treatment from a single institution. This data included demographics such as age, sex, and BMI. Response and progression were defined per RECIST v1.1. The association of BMI and PFS was assessed by exact chi-square test. Kaplan Meier and Cox proportional hazard regression methods were used to estimate the survival probability and hazard ratios. Results: We identified a total of 129 overweight or obese patients (49%) with stage IV cancer who received CPI therapy. CDC guidelines define overweight as BMI > 25 and obese as BMI > 30. There was a significant relationship between PFS and BMI. Median PFS for those overweight was 287 days and 479 days for obese. Those with BMI 18.5-25 (normal), median PFS was 128 days and 103 days for those underweight (BMI < 18.5), (p = .0024). There was also a significant relationship between OS and BMI. Median OS for those obese was 751 days, for those overweight was 462 days. Median OS for those normal weight was 281 days and those underweight was 273 days (p = .0005). Obese patients had a 48% reduced risk of progression of disease/death as compared to those who had normal BMI (Hazard Ratio 0.52, p = .019). Overweight had a 31.5% relative risk reduction (HR 0.685, p = .05). Overall Response Rate was not significant between the two groups but there was a strong trend (p = .087). Conclusions: Higher BMI was associated with improved PFS and OS in patients with metastatic cancer across 20 different tumor types. Further investigation into the immune mechanisms behind this may lead to improvement in CPI efficacy for all patients.

scholarly journals P09.25 Role of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICPi) in KRAS-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. S300-S301
Author(s):  
M. Peravali ◽  
C. Gomes-Lima ◽  
E. Tefera ◽  
M. Baker ◽  
M. Sherchan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Small Cell Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Lung Cancer ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Small Cell ◽  
Small Cell Lung

scholarly journals Ipilimumab and nivolumab/pembrolizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to prior immune checkpoint inhibitors

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e001945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Sum Lung Wong ◽  
Gerry Gin Wai Kwok ◽  
Vikki Tang ◽  
Bryan Cho Wing Li ◽  
Roland Leung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Primary Resistance ◽  
Advanced Hcc

BackgroundProgrammed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway blockade with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is a standard therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nowadays. No strategies to overcome ICI resistance have been described. We aimed to evaluate the use of ipilimumab and anti-PD-1 ICIs (nivolumab or pembrolizumab) combinations in patients with advanced HCC with progression on prior ICIs.MethodsPatients with advanced HCC with documented tumor progression on prior ICIs and subsequently received ipilimumab with nivolumab/pembrolizumab were analyzed. Objective response rate (ORR), median duration of response (DOR), time-to-progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were assessed.ResultsTwenty-five patients were included. The median age was 62 (range: 51–83). About 68% were of Child-Pugh (CP) Grade A and 48% had primary resistance to prior ICI. At median follow-up of 37.7 months, the ORR was 16% with a median DOR of 11.5 months (range: 2.76–30.3). Three patients achieved complete response. The median TTP was 2.96 months (95% CI: 1.61 to 4.31). Median OS was 10.9 months (95% CI: 3.99 to 17.8) and the 1 year, 2 year and 3 year survival rates were 42.4%, 32.3% and 21.6%, respectively. The ORR was 16.7% in primary resistance group and 15.4% in acquired resistance group (p=1.00). All responders were of CP A and Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) Grade 1 or 2. CP and ALBI Grades were significantly associated with OS (p=0.006 and p<0.001, respectively). Overall, 52% of patients experienced TRAEs and 12% experienced Grade 3 or above TRAEs.ConclusionsIpilimumab and nivolumab/pembrolizumab can achieve durable antitumor activity and encouraging survival outcomes with acceptable toxicity in patients with advanced HCC who had prior treatment with ICIs.

scholarly journals A new biological triangle in cancer: intestinal microbiota, immune checkpoint inhibitors and antibiotics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Zhujiang Dai ◽  
Cheng Yan ◽  
Wenjie Zhang ◽  
Daorong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Microbiota ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy ◽  
Rational Use Of Antibiotics

AbstractCancer immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of many malignant tumors. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can reactivate the anti-tumor activity of immune cells, sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy depends on the complex tumor immune processes. In recent years, numerous researches have demonstrated the role of intestinal microbiota in immunity and metabolism of the tumor microenvironment, as well as the efficacy of immunotherapy. Epidemiological studies have further demonstrated the efficacy of antibiotic therapy on the probability of patients' response to ICIs and predictability of the short-term survival of cancer patients. Disturbance to the intestinal microbiota significantly affects ICIs-mediated immune reconstitution and is considered a possible mechanism underlying the development of adverse effects during antibiotic-based ICIs treatment. Intestinal microbiota, antibiotics, and ICIs have gradually become important considerations for the titer of immunotherapy. In the case of immunotherapy, the rational use of antibiotics and intestinal microbiota is expected to yield a better prognosis for patients with malignant tumors.

scholarly journals The Efficacy of Anti-PD-L1 Treatment in Melanoma Is Associated with the Expression of the ECM Molecule EMILIN2

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7511
Author(s):  
Albina Fejza ◽  
Maurizio Polano ◽  
Lucrezia Camicia ◽  
Evelina Poletto ◽  
Greta Carobolante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Tumor Hypoxia ◽  
Melanoma Cells ◽  
Vessel Normalization ◽  
Melanoma Patients

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of melanoma patients, leading to remarkable improvements in the cure. However, to ensure a safe and effective treatment, there is the need to develop markers to identify the patients that would most likely respond to the therapies. The microenvironment is gaining attention in this context, since it can regulate both the immunotherapy efficacyand angiogenesis, which is known to be affected by treatment. Here, we investigated the putative role of the ECM molecule EMILIN-2, a tumor suppressive and pro-angiogenic molecule. We verified that the EMILIN2 expression is variable among melanoma patients and is associated with the response to PD-L1 inhibitors. Consistently, in preclinical settings,the absence of EMILIN-2 is associated with higher PD-L1 expression and increased immunotherapy efficacy. We verified that EMILIN-2 modulates PD-L1 expression in melanoma cells through indirect immune-dependent mechanisms. Notably, upon PD-L1 blockage, Emilin2−/− mice displayed improved intra-tumoral vessel normalization and decreased tumor hypoxia. Finally, we provide evidence indicating that the inclusion of EMILIN2 in a number of gene expression signatures improves their predictive potential, a further indication that the analysis of this molecule may be key for the development of new markers to predict immunotherapy efficacy.

scholarly journals Rethinking immune checkpoint blockade: ‘Beyond the T cell’

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e001460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuting Liu ◽  
Graham D Hogg ◽  
David G DeNardo
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Antitumor Immunity ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Clinical Success ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Checkpoint Blockade

The clinical success of immune checkpoint inhibitors has highlighted the central role of the immune system in cancer control. Immune checkpoint inhibitors can reinvigorate anti-cancer immunity and are now the standard of care in a number of malignancies. However, research on immune checkpoint blockade has largely been framed with the central dogma that checkpoint therapies intrinsically target the T cell, triggering the tumoricidal potential of the adaptive immune system. Although T cells undoubtedly remain a critical piece of the story, mounting evidence, reviewed herein, indicates that much of the efficacy of checkpoint therapies may be attributable to the innate immune system. Emerging research suggests that T cell-directed checkpoint antibodies such as anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1) can impact innate immunity by both direct and indirect pathways, which may ultimately shape clinical efficacy. However, the mechanisms and impacts of these activities have yet to be fully elucidated, and checkpoint therapies have potentially beneficial and detrimental effects on innate antitumor immunity. Further research into the role of innate subsets during checkpoint blockade may be critical for developing combination therapies to help overcome checkpoint resistance. The potential of checkpoint therapies to amplify innate antitumor immunity represents a promising new field that can be translated into innovative immunotherapies for patients fighting refractory malignancies.

scholarly journals Role of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Cervical Cancer: From Preclinical to Clinical Data

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2089
Author(s):  
Simona Duranti ◽  
Antonella Pietragalla ◽  
Gennaro Daniele ◽  
Camilla Nero ◽  
Francesca Ciccarone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Hpv Infection ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Cervical Cancers ◽  
Relapsed Disease

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the recognized cause of almost all cervical cancers. Despite the reduction in incidence due to a wide use of screening programs and a specific vaccine, the prognosis of cervical cancer remains poor, especially for late-stage and relapsed disease. Considering the elevated rates of PD-L1 expression in up to 80% of cervical cancers, a strong rationale supports the use of immunotherapy to restore the immune response against tumor. The aim of this review is to analyze the possible role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cervical cancer treatment, with a particular focus on the rationale and on the results of phase I and II clinical trials. An overview of ongoing phase III studies with possible future areas of development is also provided.

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