Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions

Biomarkers Guide Immune Checkpoint Blockade

Nat Rev Cancer; 2016 May; Topalian, Taube, et al

Publish date:: June 14, 2016

With recent approvals for multiple therapeutic antibodies that block cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) non-small-cell lung cancer, many questions remain regarding the optimal use of drugs that block checkpoint pathways, according to a recent review.

Defining biomarkers that predict therapeutic effects and adverse events is crucial, highlighted by recent approvals for two PDL1 diagnostic tests. The unique biology of the CTLA4 immune checkpoint, compared with PD1, requires a different approach to biomarker development. Mechanism-based insights will guide the design of synergistic treatment combinations based on immune checkpoint blockade.

Citation: Topalian S, Taube J, Anders R, Pardoll D. Mechanism-driven biomarkers to guide immune checkpoint blockade in cancer therapy. Nat Rev Cancer. 2016;16(5):275-287. doi:10.1038/nrc.2016.36.

This Week's Must Reads

Younger adults present with more advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma,

PDAC: Tumor reduction after neoadjuvant therapy may predict postsurgical survival,

Mortality risks rise with age, infections, but not inhibitor status in persons with non-severe hemophilia A,

‘Impressive’ local control with MRI-guided brachytherapy in cervical cancer,

U.S. mothers underestimate role breastfeeding plays in curbing breast cancer,