Immune Checkpoint Therapy and Biomarker in Cancer

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 5235

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Interests: the role of nanomedicine and immunotherapy; cancer diagnosis, imaging, and therapy; pharmaceutical sciences; nanotechnology; drug delivery; immunotherapy; cancer research; imaging and theranostics; pharmaceutical biotechnology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Immune checkpoint therapy such as CTLA-4 or PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPs), chemoimmunotherapy, and CART therapy have revolutionized cancer treatment by harnessing the power of the immune system to fight cancer. The therapy works by blocking the checkpoint proteins that cancer cells use to evade the immune system. This allows the immune system to attack and kill cancer cells, which can lead to long-term remission and potentially a cure. However, not all patients respond to this therapy, and identifying the right patients is vital to ensure the best possible outcomes. This is where biomarkers come in. Biomarkers are measurable indicators that can help predict the likelihood of a patient responding to a particular therapy. In the case of immune checkpoint therapy, biomarkers can help to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from the therapy, but they can also be used to monitor a patient's response to therapy.

New translational and clinical research on immune checkpoint therapy and biomarkers holds great promise for the treatment of different types of cancer. By identifying the right patients and monitoring their response to therapy, clinicians can ensure that patients receive the most effective treatment possible. As research in this area continues, our goal in this Special Issue is to collect papers on the advances in the field of cancer immunotherapies especially Immune checkpoints (ICPs) and their biomarkers.

Dr. Hashem O. Alsaab
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • immune-checkpoint inhibitors
  • chemoimmunotherapy
  • immunotherapy
  • cancer
  • tumor microenvironment
  • immune biomarker

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 900 KiB  
Article
Antibiotic Exposure Concurrently with Anti-PD1 Blockade Therapy Reduces Overall Survival in Patients with Child–Pugh Class A Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
by Kanan Alshammari, Faizah M. Alotaibi, Futoon Alsugheir, Mohammad Aldawoud, Ashwaq Alolayan, Mohammed Ahmad Algarni, Fouad Sabatin, Mohammad F. Mohammad, Abdulaziz Alosaimi, Faisal M. Sanai, Hassan Odah, Ahmed Saleh Alshehri, Omar S. Aldibasi, Samah Alrehaily and Abdullah S. Al Saleh
Cancers 2024, 16(1), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16010133 - 27 Dec 2023
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide with a poor prognosis. Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has improved overall survival in patients with HCC. However, not all patients benefit from the treatment. In this study, 59 patients [...] Read more.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide with a poor prognosis. Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has improved overall survival in patients with HCC. However, not all patients benefit from the treatment. In this study, 59 patients with HCC were enrolled from two medical centers in Saudi Arabia, with 34% using antibiotics concurrently with their Nivolumab (anti-PD1 blockade). The impact of antibiotic use on the clinical outcomes of patients with HCC undergoing treatment with anti-PD1 blockade was examined. The patients’ overall survival (OS) was 5 months (95% CI: 3.2, 6.7) compared to 10 months (95% CI: 0, 22.2) (p = 0.08). Notably, patients with Child–Pugh A cirrhosis receiving anti-PD1 blockade treatment without concurrent antibiotic use showed a significantly longer median OS reaching 22 months (95% CI: 6.5, 37.4) compared to those who were given antibiotics with a median OS of 6 months (95% CI: 2.7, 9.2) (p = 0.02). This difference in overall survival was particularly found in Child–Pugh class A patients receiving anti-PD1 blockade. These findings suggest that antibiotic use may negatively affect survival outcomes in HCC patients undergoing anti-PD1 blockade, potentially due to antibiotic-induced alterations to the gut microbiome impacting the anti-PD1 blockade response. This study suggests the need for careful consideration when prescribing antibiotics to patients with HCC receiving anti-PD1 blockade. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Immune Checkpoint Therapy and Biomarker in Cancer)
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Review

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15 pages, 1356 KiB  
Review
The JAK-STAT Pathway as a Therapeutic Strategy in Cancer Patients with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Colitis: A Narrative Review
by Antonietta Gerarda Gravina, Raffaele Pellegrino, Alfonso Esposito, Marina Cipullo, Mario Romeo, Giovanna Palladino, Patrizia Iodice, Alessandro Federico and Teresa Troiani
Cancers 2024, 16(3), 611; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16030611 - 31 Jan 2024
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Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a pivotal component in the treatment of various malignancies, encompassing lung, skin, gastrointestinal, and head and neck cancers. The foundation of this therapeutic approach lies in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). While ICIs have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in impeding the [...] Read more.
Immunotherapy has emerged as a pivotal component in the treatment of various malignancies, encompassing lung, skin, gastrointestinal, and head and neck cancers. The foundation of this therapeutic approach lies in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). While ICIs have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in impeding the neoplastic progression of these tumours, their use may give rise to substantial toxicity, notably in the gastrointestinal domain, where ICI colitis constitutes a significant aspect. The optimal positioning of Janus kinase (JAK)–signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway inhibitors in the therapeutic management of ICI colitis remains unclear. Numerous reports have highlighted notable improvements in ICI colitis through the application of pan-JAK-STAT inhibitors, with tofacitinib, in particular, reporting evident clinical remission of colitis. The precise mechanism by which JAK-STAT inhibitors may impact the pathogenetic process of ICI colitis remains inadequately understood. However, there is speculation regarding their potential role in modulating memory resident CD8+ T lymphocytes. The elucidation of this mechanism requires further extensive and robust evidence, and ongoing JAK-STAT-based trials are anticipated to contribute valuable insights. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Immune Checkpoint Therapy and Biomarker in Cancer)
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16 pages, 800 KiB  
Review
Life-Threatening Endocrinological Immune-Related Adverse Events of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy
by Aleksandra Basek, Grzegorz K. Jakubiak, Grzegorz Cieślar and Agata Stanek
Cancers 2023, 15(24), 5786; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15245786 - 10 Dec 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1475
Abstract
Malignant neoplasms are currently one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, posing a major public health challenge. However, recent advances in research in cancer biology and immunity have led to the development of immunotherapy, which is now used on an [...] Read more.
Malignant neoplasms are currently one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, posing a major public health challenge. However, recent advances in research in cancer biology and immunity have led to the development of immunotherapy, which is now used on an everyday basis in cancer treatment in addition to surgical treatment, classical cytostatics, and radiotherapy. The efficacy of immunotherapy has promoted the great popularity of this treatment among patients, as well as significant research interest. The increasing number of patients being treated with immunotherapy not only reassures physicians of the efficacy of this technique but also shows the wide spectrum of side effects of this therapy, which has not been considered before. Immune-related adverse events may affect many systems and organs, such as digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, skin, or endocrine organs. Most complications have a mild or moderate course, but there are life-threatening manifestations that are essential to be aware of because if they are not properly diagnosed and treated on time, they can have fatal consequences. The purpose of this paper was to present the results of a literature review on the current state of knowledge on life-threatening endocrine side effects (such as adrenal crisis, thyroid storm, myxoedema crisis, diabetic ketoacidosis, and severe hypocalcaemia) of immune checkpoint inhibitors to provide information on symptoms, diagnostics, and management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Immune Checkpoint Therapy and Biomarker in Cancer)
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Other

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25 pages, 1867 KiB  
Systematic Review
Cost-Effectiveness of Treatment Optimisation with Biomarkers for Immunotherapy in Solid Tumours: A Systematic Review
by Sara Mucherino, Valentina Lorenzoni, Isotta Triulzi, Marzia Del Re, Valentina Orlando, Annalisa Capuano, Romano Danesi, Giuseppe Turchetti and Enrica Menditto
Cancers 2024, 16(5), 995; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16050995 - 29 Feb 2024
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Abstract
This study investigated the health economic evaluations of predictive biomarker testing in solid tumours treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science from June 2010 to February 2022, 58 relevant articles were reviewed out of the 730 screened. [...] Read more.
This study investigated the health economic evaluations of predictive biomarker testing in solid tumours treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science from June 2010 to February 2022, 58 relevant articles were reviewed out of the 730 screened. The focus was predominantly on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (65%) and other solid tumours (40%). Among the NSCLC studies, 21 out of 35 demonstrated cost-effectiveness, notably for pembrolizumab as first-line treatment when preceded by PD-L1 assessment, cost-effective at a threshold of $100,000/QALY compared to the standard of care. However, for bladder, cervical, and triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), no economic evaluations met the affordability threshold of $100,000/QALY. Overall, the review highlights a certain degree of uncertainty about the cost-effectiveness of ICI. In particular, we found PD-L1 expression associated with ICI treatment to be a cost-effective strategy, particularly in NSCLC, urothelial, and renal cell carcinoma. The findings suggest the potential value of predictive biomarker testing, specifically with pembrolizumab in NSCLC, while indicating challenges in achieving cost-effectiveness for certain other solid tumours. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Immune Checkpoint Therapy and Biomarker in Cancer)
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