scholarly journals Immune System Disorders, Cancer and Viral Infections: A New Treatment Opportunity for the Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1400
Author(s):  
Alejandro Olivares-Hernández ◽  
Luis Figuero-Pérez ◽  
José Pablo Miramontes-González ◽  
Álvaro López-Gutiérrez ◽  
Rogelio González-Sarmiento ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Cancer ◽  
Solid Tumours ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
New Treatment

The relationship between viral infections and cancer is well known and has been established for decades. Multiple tumours are generated from alterations secondary to viral infections 2 resulting from a dysregulation of the immune system in many cases. Certain causal relationships, such as that between the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in nasopharyngeal cancer or hepatitis C and B viruses in hepatocarcinoma, have been clearly established, and their implications for the prognosis and treatment of solid tumours are currently unknown. Multiple studies have evaluated the role that these infections may have in the treatment of solid tumours using immunotherapy. A possible relationship between viral infections and an increased response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been established at a theoretical level in solid neoplasms, such as EBV-positive cavum cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and oropharyngeal cancer. These could yield a greater response associated with the activation of the immune system secondary to viral infection, the consequence of which is an increase in survival in these patients. That is why the objective of this review is to assess the different studies or clinical trials carried out in patients with solid tumours secondary to viral infections and their relationship to the response to ICIs.

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 Human Herpesvirus and the Immune Checkpoint PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway: Disorders and Strategies for Survival

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 778
Author(s):  
Takayuki Murata
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Programmed Cell Death ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Human Herpesvirus ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Programmed Cell Death 1 ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
Human Herpesviruses

The immune system has evolved as a complex and efficient means of coping with extrinsic materials, such as pathogens and toxins, as well as intrinsic abnormalities, such as cancers. Although rapid and timely activation of the immune system is obviously important, regulated downregulation of the system is almost as significant as activation to prevent runaway immunity, such as allergies and hypercytokinemia. Therefore, the immune checkpoint programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway is beneficial for the host. On the other hand, pathogens have evolved to evade host immunity by taking advantage of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. This review is focused on human herpesviruses, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), which cause various types of disorders, and their relationships with the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. Understanding such relationships will be useful for developing preventative and therapeutic methods for disorders caused by herpesviruses.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Metastatic Epstein-Barr Virus Associated Gastric Cancer (EBVaGC): A Case Series and Review of Literature

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shimeng Liang ◽  
Weibing Leng ◽  
Dan Jiang ◽  
Ming Liu ◽  
Dan Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Gastric Carcinoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Epstein Barr Virus ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Metastatic Gastric Cancer ◽  
Pooled Analysis ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Epstein Barr

Abstract Background Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of malignant tumors. However, limited clinical data are available to report the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma. Methods In this study, we report a case series of five patients with metastatic Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma who were treated with ICIs and to perform a pooled analysis of published cases to investigate the efficacy of ICIs in Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma patients. Results Between 2018 and 2020, five metastatic gastric cancer patients with EBV positivity who received PD-1 antibodies treatment were included in the analysis at the authors’ institution. Furthermore, we performed a pooled analysis of the contemporary literature. In our case series, two patients experienced partial response (PR); one patient achieved complete response (CR), whereas two patients had progression disease (PD), resulting an ORR of 60%. In the pooled analysis of all 36 patients, ORR was 48.6% (17/35). For the first line and later lines, it was 75% (3/4) and 45.2% (14/31) respectively. The ORR was 46.7% (14/30) for ICIs monotherapy and improved to 60% (3/5) by combination with chemotherapy. Conclusions These results demonstrated that an EBV-positive status was a reliable biomarker for immunotherapy in metastatic gastric cancer, especially for monotherapy. Immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy may be a better strategy, warranting further large-scale clinical trials for validation.

Gut Microbiota and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors-Based Immunotherapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingming Tian ◽  
Si Zhang ◽  
Yujen Tseng ◽  
Xizhong Shen ◽  
Ling Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Antitumor Response ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Cancer Types ◽  
Patients Experience

: Application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is a major breakthrough in the field of cancer therapy, which has displayed tremendous potential in various types of malignancies. However, their response rates range widely in different cancer types and a significant number of patients experience immune-related adverse effects (irAEs) induced by these drugs, limiting the proportion of patients who can truly benefit from ICIs. Gut microbiota has gained increasing attention due to its emerging role in regulating the immune system. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that gut microbiota can modulate antitumor response, as well as decrease the risk of colitis due to ICIs in patients receiving immunotherapy. The present review analyzed recent progress of relevant basic and clinical studies in this area and explored new perspectives to enhance the efficacy of ICIs and alleviate associated irAEs via manipulation of the gut microbiota.

scholarly journals Challenge of immune-mediated adverse reactions in the emergency department

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 369-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A Daniels ◽  
Angela D Guerrera ◽  
Donna Katz ◽  
Jayne Viets-Upchurch
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Immune Checkpoints ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Multiple Drugs

Multiple drugs of a new class of cancer treatments called immune checkpoint inhibitors, which work by enabling the immune system to attack tumour cells, have been approved for a variety of indications in recent years. Immune checkpoints, such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and programmed death-1, are part of the normal immune system and regulate immune activation. Treatment with inhibitors of these checkpoints can significantly improve response rates, progression-free survival and overall survival of patients with cancer; it can also result in adverse reactions that present similarly to other conditions. These immune-mediated adverse reactions (IMARs) are most commonly gastrointestinal, respiratory, endocrine or dermatologic. Although patients’ presentations may appear similar to other types of cancer therapy, the underlying causes, and consequently their management, may differ. Prompt recognition is critical because, with appropriate management, most IMARs resolve and patients can continue receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Rarely, these IMARs may be life-threatening and escape detection from the usual evaluations in the emergency environment. Given the unusual spectrum and mechanism of IMARs arising from immune checkpoint inhibitors, emergency departmentED staff require a clear understanding of the evaluation of IMARs to enable them to appropriately assess and treat these patients. Treatment of IMARs, most often with high-dose steroids, differs from chemotherapy-related adverse events and when possible should be coordinated with the treating oncologist. This review summarises the ED presentation and management of IMARs arising from immune checkpoint inhibitors and includes recommendations for tools and resources for ED healthcare professionals.

scholarly journals Are Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids the Link between the Immune System and the Microbiome towards Modulating Cancer?

Medicines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leodevico Ilag
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
Long Chain

Three recent studies revealed synergy between immune-checkpoint inhibitors and the microbiome as a new approach in the treatment of cancer. Incidentally, there has been significant progress in understanding the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in modulating cancer and the immune system, as well as in regulating the microbiome. Inflammation seems to be the common denominator among these seemingly unrelated biological entities—immune system, the microbiome, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs). This commentary presents a hypothesis proposing the existence of an optimal level of LC-PUFAs that nurtures the suitable gut microbiota preventing dysbiosis. This synergy between optimal LC-PUFAs and gut microbiota helps the immune system overcome the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment including enhancing the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. A model on how LC-PUFAs (such as omega(n)-3 and n-6 fatty acids) forms a synergistic triad with the immune system and the microbiome in regulating inflammation to maintain homeostasis is presented. The principles underlying the hypothesis provide a basis in managing and even preventing cancer and other chronic diseases associated with inflammation.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor–associated hypercalcaemia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Izzedine ◽  
Thibaud Chazal ◽  
Rimda Wanchoo ◽  
Kenar D Jhaveri
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Endocrine Disease ◽  
Oncological Patients ◽  
Hyperprogressive Disease

Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) have recently become a cornerstone for the treatment of different advanced cancers. These drugs have the ability to reactivate the immune system against tumour cells but can also trigger a myriad of side effects, termed immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Although there are numerous reports of CPI-related endocrinopathies, hypercalcaemia as a suspected irAE is not well documented. The mechanisms of CPI hypercalcaemia are not clearly established. However, in our review, four distinct causes emerged: endocrine disease-related, sarcoid-like granuloma, humoral hypercalcaemia due to parathyroid-related hormone and hyperprogressive disease following CPI initiation. Prompt recognition of hypercalcaemia and the institution of therapy can be lifesaving, affording the opportunity to address the underlying aetiology. In this review we discuss the incidence, diagnosis and management of immune-related hypercalcaemia in oncological patients receiving CPI agents.

scholarly journals Immunosurveillance and Immunoediting of Lung Cancer: Current Perspectives and Challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kei Kunimasa ◽  
Taichiro Goto
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Tumor Evolution ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Cancer Immunoediting ◽  
Treatment Paradigm ◽  
Nsclc Patients

The immune system plays a dual role in tumor evolution—it can identify and control nascent tumor cells in a process called immunosurveillance and can promote tumor progression through immunosuppression via various mechanisms. Thus, bilateral host-protective and tumor-promoting actions of immunity are integrated as cancer immunoediting. In this decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors, specifically programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) pathway inhibitors, have changed the treatment paradigm of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These agents are approved for the treatment of patients with NSCLC and demonstrate impressive clinical activity and durable responses in some patients. However, for many NSCLC patients, the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors is limited. To optimize the full utility of the immune system for eradicating cancer, a broader understanding of cancer immunosurveillance and immunoediting is essential. In this review, we discuss the fundamental knowledge of the phenomena and provide an overview of the next-generation immunotherapies in the pipeline.

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