Hyperprogression upon immunotherapy: A chance for (hyper-)progress

Although immunotherapy has revolutionised the treatment of cancer, accumulating evidence suggests that immune checkpoint inhibition might be detrimental in a subset of patients who experience paradoxical acceleration of their disease upon immunotherapy [1]. These patients, the so-called ‘hyperprogressors’, account for 6–29% of all patients treated with anti-PD(L)1 antibodies [2]. Although hypotheses have been suggested to explain this phenomenon (including boosting of regulatory T cells, increased T-cell exhaustion because of upregulation of alternative checkpoints, polarisat ion of immunosuppressive subsets resulting in the secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines and soluble mediators, uncontrolled inflammatory response and direct activation of oncogenic signalling pathways), the exact mechanisms responsible for hyperprogression on anti-PD(L)1 therapy remain poorly un derstood [2].
Source: European Journal of Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research