Programmed cell death-1 inhibition in lymphoma. Issue 5 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hawkes, Eliza A; Grigg, Andrew; Chong, Geoff
• Is Part Of: Lancet oncology. Volume 16:Issue 5(2015:May)
• Page Start: e234
• Page End: e245
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Oncology -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Cancérologie -- Périodiques; Oncologie; Oncology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(15)70103-8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-2045

Abstract

Summary: Cancers can evade the host immune system by inducing upregulation of immune inhibitory signals. Anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibodies block these inhibitory signals allowing the host to mount an immune response against malignant cells. This class of drugs is active in solid tumours, where upregulation of cell-surface PD-1 ligand proteins is nearly uniform. Because lymphoma is a malignancy of immune system cells, the role of the PD-1 pathway in these neoplasms is more complex. However, early clinical trials using PD-1 inhibitors have shown significant clinical activity in various subtypes of relapsed lymphoma. In this Review, we assess the scientific literature on the role of the PD-1 pathway in lymphoma, the relevant clinical data for PD-1 inhibition, and future strategies for this next generation of anticancer agents.