scholarly journals Biomarkers in Immunotherapy-Based Precision Treatments of Digestive System Tumors

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhu Zeng ◽  
Biao Yang ◽  
Zhengyin Liao
Keyword(s):  
Digestive System ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Circulating Tumor Dna ◽  
Gastrointestinal Malignancies ◽  
Programmed Death Ligand 1 ◽  
Multiple Tumor ◽  
Programmed Death ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Tumor Mutational Burden ◽  
Programmed Death 1

Immunotherapy, represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors (mainly referring to programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockades), derives durable remission and survival benefits for multiple tumor types including digestive system tumors [gastric cancer (GC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)], particularly those with metastatic or recurrent lesions. Even so, not all patients would respond well to anti-programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 agents (anti-PD-1/PD-L1) in gastrointestinal malignancies, suggesting the need for biomarkers to identify the responders and non-responders, as well as to predict the clinical outcomes. PD-L1expression has increasingly emerged as a potential biomarker when predicting the immunotherapy-based efficacy; but regrettably, PD-L1 alone is not sufficient to differentiate patients. Other molecules, such as tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as well, are involved in further explorations. Overall, there are not still no perfect or well-established biomarkers in immunotherapy for digestive system tumors at present as a result of the inherent limitations, especially for HCC. Standardizing and harmonizing the assessments of existing biomarkers, and meanwhile, switching to other novel biomarkers are presumably wise and feasible.

Tubulitis in a patient treated with nivolumab: Case report and literature review

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 107-112
Author(s):  
Viral Vakil ◽  
Mark Birkenbach ◽  
Katti Woerner ◽  
Lihong Bu
Keyword(s):  
Acute Kidney Injury ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Kidney Biopsy ◽  
Tubulointerstitial Nephritis ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Programmed Death Ligand 1 ◽  
Programmed Death ◽  
Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma ◽  
Programmed Death 1

Kidney injury associated with use of immune checkpoint inhibitors that target the programmed death-1 molecule commonly manifests as acute tubulointerstitial nephritis on kidney biopsy. We present a case of a 66-year-old man who developed acute kidney injury at 6 months after initiation of treatment with anti-programmed death-1 antibody, nivolumab, for treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma. A renal biopsy showed focal moderate-to-severe lymphocytic tubulitis with minimal interstitial inflammation. Programmed death ligand-1 immunopositivity was detected only in tubules exhibiting lymphocytic tubulitis. The patient’s renal function improved to baseline with conservative management consisting of discontinuation of nivolumab followed by prednisone treatment.

scholarly journals The Efficacy and Safety of Programmed Death-1 and Programmed Death Ligand 1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shukang He ◽  
Weichao Jiang ◽  
Kai Fan ◽  
Xiaobei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Group Treatment ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Programmed Death Ligand 1 ◽  
Programmed Death ◽  
Programmed Death 1

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage where only systemic treatment can be offered. The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) provides hope for the treatment of HCC. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to provide evidence for the efficacy and safety of ICIs in the treatment of HCC.MethodsThe following databases and websites were searched: Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov. The primary endpoints were response rate (RR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsFinally, twelve studies were included in this meta-analysis. When the corresponding outcome indicators and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled directly, the overall RR, DCR, PFS and OS were 0.17 (0.15-0.19, I2 = 56.2%, P=0.009), 0.58 (0.55-0.61, I2 = 75.9%, P<0.001), 3.27 months (2.99-3.55, I2 = 73.0%, P=0.001), 11.73 months (10.79-12.67, I2 = 90.3%, P<0.001). Compared to the control group, treatment with ICIs significantly improved RR, PFS and OS, the OR and HRs were 3.11 (2.17-4.44, P<0.001), 0.852 (0.745-0.974, P=0.019) and 0.790 (0.685-0.911, P=0.001), respectively. However, no significant improvement in DCR was found in ICIs treatment in this meta-analysis.ConclusionHCC patients would benefit from ICIs treatment, however, more studies are needed in the future to provide more useful evidence for the treatment of HCC by programmed death-1 (PD-1) or programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors.

T-Cell–Inflamed Gene-Expression Profile, Programmed Death Ligand 1 Expression, and Tumor Mutational Burden Predict Efficacy in Patients Treated With Pembrolizumab Across 20 Cancers: KEYNOTE-028

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick A. Ott ◽  
Yung-Jue Bang ◽  
Sarina A. Piha-Paul ◽  
Albiruni R. Abdul Razak ◽  
Jaafar Bennouna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Gene Expression Profile ◽  
Advanced Solid Tumors ◽  
Programmed Death Ligand 1 ◽  
Multiple Tumor ◽  
Mutational Burden ◽  
Programmed Death ◽  
Tumor Mutational Burden ◽  
Tumor Types

PURPOSE Biomarkers that can predict response to anti–programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) therapy across multiple tumor types include a T-cell–inflamed gene-expression profile (GEP), programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, and tumor mutational burden (TMB). Associations between these biomarkers and the clinical efficacy of pembrolizumab were evaluated in a clinical trial that encompassed 20 cohorts of patients with advanced solid tumors. METHODS KEYNOTE-028 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02054806) is a nonrandomized, phase Ib trial that enrolled 475 patients with PD-L1–positive advanced solid tumors who were treated with pembrolizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks for 2 years or until confirmed disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR; by RECIST v1.1, investigator review). Secondary end points included safety, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Relationships between T-cell–inflamed GEP, PD-L1 expression, and TMB and antitumor activity were exploratory end points. RESULTS ORRs (with 95% CIs) ranged from 0% (0.0% to 14.2%) in pancreatic cancer to 33% (15.6% to 55.3%) in small-cell lung cancer. Across cohorts, median (95% CI) PFS ranged from 1.7 months (1.5 to 2.9 months) to 6.8 months (1.9 to 14.1 months) in pancreatic and thyroid cancers, respectively, and median OS from 3.9 months (2.8 to 5.5 months) to 21.1 months (9.1 to 22.4 months) in vulvar and carcinoid tumors, respectively. Higher response rates and longer PFS were demonstrated in tumors with higher T-cell–inflamed GEP, PD-L1 expression, and/or TMB. Correlations of TMB with GEP and PD-L1 were low. Response patterns indicate that patients with tumors that had high levels of both TMB and inflammatory markers (GEP or PD-L1) represent a population with the highest likelihood of response. Safety was similar and consistent with prior pembrolizumab reports. CONCLUSION A T-cell–-inflamed GEP, PD-L1 expression, and TMB predicted response to pembrolizumab in multiple tumor types. These biomarkers (alone/in combination) may help identify patients who have a higher likelihood of response to anti–PD-1 therapies across a broad spectrum of cancers.

scholarly journals Clinical significance of checkpoint regulator “Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1)” expression in meningioma: review of the current status

2021 ◽  
Vol 151 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-449
Author(s):  
Shirin Karimi ◽  
Sheila Mansouri ◽  
Farshad Nassiri ◽  
Severa Bunda ◽  
Olivia Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Tumor Heterogeneity ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Primary Brain Tumor ◽  
Current Status ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Programmed Death Ligand 1 ◽  
Multiple Tumor ◽  
Programmed Death

Abstract Introduction Meningioma is the most common primary brain tumor. Most meningiomas are benign; however, a subset of these tumors can be aggressive, presenting with early or multiple tumor recurrences that are refractory to neurosurgical resection and radiotherapy. There is no standard systemic therapy for these patients, and post-surgical management of these patients is usually complicated due to lack of accurate prediction for tumor progression. Methods In this review, we summarise the crucial immunosuppressive role of checkpoint regulators, including PD-1 and PD-L1 interacting in the tumor microenvironment, which has led to efforts aimed at targeting this axis. Results Since their discovery, checkpoint inhibitors have significantly improved the outcome in many types of cancers. Currently, targeted therapy for PD-1 and PD-L1 proteins are being tested in several ongoing clinical trials for brain tumors such as glioblastoma. More recently, there have been some reports implicating increased PD-L1 expression in high-grade (WHO grades II and III) meningiomas. Several clinical trials are underway to assess the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors in the therapeutic management of patients with aggressive meningiomas. Here, we review the immune suppressive microenvironment in meningiomas, and then focus on clinical and pathological characterization and tumor heterogeneity with respect to PD-L1 expression as well as challenges associated with the assessment of PD-L1 expression in meningioma. Conclusion We conclude with a brief review of ongoing clinical trials using checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of high-grade and refractory meningiomas.

To do or not to do: A concise update of current clinical controversies in immune checkpoint blockade

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 663-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clement Chung
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Cancer Immunotherapy ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Cellular Interactions ◽  
Programmed Death Ligand 1 ◽  
Multiple Tumor ◽  
First Line Therapy ◽  
Programmed Death ◽  
Starting Point

Although programmed death-ligand 1 is currently the best available biomarker for first-line therapy with pembrolizumab for patients with non-small cell lung cancer and is a required companion test approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, programmed death-ligand 1 testing is an option (as a complementary test) for patients treated with nivolumab, atezolizumab, and durvalumab. Programmed death-ligand 1 expression is continuously variable and dynamic in the tumor microenvironment. Due to the complex molecular and cellular interactions involved in immune response, a single biomarker may not be sufficient to predict response to cancer immunotherapy. Integration of multiple tumor, immune response, and genomic parameters is likely to influence the future interpretation of biomarker-based treatment outcomes. This article, in a case-based format, concisely summarizes most up-to-date evidence in answering some commonly seen clinical controversies of cancer immunotherapy, in terms of (i) the predictive value of programmed death-ligand 1 as a biomarker; (ii) whether the use of steroids with checkpoint inhibitors will decrease efficacy of the latter; (iii) selection of patients for cancer immunotherapy based on immune-based response criteria, and (iv) whether the use of influenza vaccine with checkpoint inhibitors is considered safe. Until more robust, long-term prospective clinical data are available, these discussions may serve as a starting point for pharmacists to gain timely and effective management of these realistic issues.

Checkpoint Inhibitor Pneumonitis Induced by Programmed Death-1 Antibody: A Case Report and Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Y ◽  
◽  
Li J ◽  
Chen D ◽  
Li Y ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Digestive System ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Patient Case ◽  
Human Organs ◽  
Programmed Death ◽  
Programmed Death 1 ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) are effective treatment therapies for majority advanced tumours. However, the immune-related Adverse Events (irAEs) triggered by ICIs may affect human organs, including skin, lungs, pituitary, thyroid, blood and digestive system, leading to immunotoxicity in these organs. Checkpoint Inhibitor Pneumonitis (CIP) is one of the irAEs that could cause mortality, thereby needs special attention from the clinical physicians. In the present manuscript, the CIP occurred in a unilateral lung in one patient case with advanced oesophageal cancer treated with anti-PD-1 was analysed. Furthermore, a literature review was conducted to investigate its pathogenesis, clinical features, associated risk factors, prevention and the correlation with ICI efficacy, providing valuable information for clinical physicians.

scholarly journals Case Report: Complete Response of Primary Massive Hepatocellular Carcinoma to Anti-Programmed Death Ligand-1 Antibody Following Progression on Anti-Programmed Death-1 Antibody

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Liu ◽  
Wenxuan Zhou ◽  
Xiaoli Li ◽  
Lijie Guo ◽  
Tingting He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Programmed Death Ligand 1 ◽  
Programmed Death ◽  
Progression Of Disease ◽  
Antibody Immunotherapy ◽  
Programmed Death 1

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive liver tumor that occurs due to chronic liver disease, and it has a high mortality rate and limited treatment options. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been successfully introduced and used in cancer therapy, among which inhibitors of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and its receptor programmed death-1 (PD-1) are commonly administered for HCC as combination therapy, including combined anti-angiogenic and immunotherapy combination therapy. We report a case of a primary massive HCC patient with portal hepatic vein tumor thrombus who had a good response to atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab, following progression of disease on combined immunotherapy with pembrolizumab and lenvatinib. This case demonstrates for the first time that an HCC patient who is resistant to anti-PD-1 antibody immunotherapy can benefit from anti-PD-L1 antibody immunotherapy, providing a potentially promising strategy for the treatment of HCC.

scholarly journals Immunotherapy Predictive Molecular Markers in Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancer: MSI and Beyond

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1715
Author(s):  
Robin Park ◽  
Laercio Lopes ◽  
Anwaar Saeed
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Predictive Biomarkers ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Gastroesophageal Cancer ◽  
Programmed Death ◽  
Phase Iii Trials ◽  
Tumor Mutational Burden ◽  
Large Phase ◽  
Programmed Death 1

Advanced gastroesophageal cancer (GEC) has a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Immunotherapy including the anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibodies pembrolizumab and nivolumab have been approved for use in various treatment settings in GEC. Additionally, frontline chemoimmunotherapy regimens have recently demonstrated promising efficacy in large phase III trials and have the potential to be added to the therapeutic armamentarium in the near future. There are currently several immunotherapy biomarkers that are validated for use in the clinical setting for GEC including programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression as well as the tumor agnostic biomarkers such as mismatch repair or microsatellite instability (MMR/MSI) and tumor mutational burden (TMB). However, apart from MMR/MSI, these biomarkers are imperfect because none are highly sensitive nor specific. Therefore, there is an unmet need for immunotherapy biomarker development. To this end, several biomarkers are currently being evaluated in ongoing trials with some showing promising predictive potential. Here, we summarize the landscape of immunotherapy predictive biomarkers that are currently being evaluated in GEC.

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