Strategies to overcome resistance to immune checkpoint blockade in lung cancer

The adoption of Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) allowed the achievement of impressive long-term survival results in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but most patients develop resistance to ICI treatment over time. Resistance to ICIs is mediated by several complex mechanisms affecting, but not limited to, tumour cell-intrinsic alterations and the tumour microenvironment. The possibility of modulating the immune response by interfering with specific alternative immune receptors, pathways and mediators might provide additional strategies to delay or prevent the development of resistance. Therefore, a greater in-depth investigation and understanding of these mechanisms aims to identify novel classes of immune targets and subsequently to evaluate potential new strategies for overcoming resistance, which will be assessed in this review.

Automated summary

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown impressive long-term survival results in non-small cell lung cancer, but resistance to ICI treatment is a common issue. Modulating the immune response by interfering with specific alternative immune receptors, pathways, and mediators may provide additional strategies to delay or prevent the development of resistance. Further investigation into these mechanisms aims to identify novel immune targets and evaluate potential new strategies for overcoming resistance.