Selecting immuno-oncology based drug combinations - what should we be considering?

Selecting immuno-oncology based drug combinations - what should we be considering? Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2018 Aug 31;: Authors: Festino L, Vanella V, Trojaniello C, Ascierto PA Abstract INTRODUCTION: Checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of many advanced stage cancers. Preexisting immunity is necessary for a response to these agents, which are most effective in inflamed tumors since they principally act by reinforcing pre-existing antitumor T-cell responses. An important goal of therapy is to convert the tumor environment from non-inflamed to inflamed in order to facilitate subsequent response to checkpoint inhibitors. Clinical trials are underway to identify checkpoint inhibitor-based combination approaches which may help to achieve this goal. Areas covered: Anti-PD-1 agents are being assessed in combination with different treatments (e.g. TLR9 agonists, oncolytic peptides, oncolytic vaccines, LAG-3, HDAC inhibitors, GITR, recombinant human interleukin-2) with promising results. PD-1 agents are also being assessed in combination with other locoregional or systemic treatment modalities, including ECT, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy, with promising results being achieved. Expert commentary: Emerging approaches based on combinations with anti-PD-1 agents seem to offer increased efficacy compared with anti-PD-1 monotherapy. Such combinations also appear to be well tolerated, with safet...
Source: Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol Source Type: research