A Review of Ultrasound-Mediated Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy

Over the past decade, immunotherapy has emerged as a major modality in cancer medicine. However, despite its unprecedented success, immunotherapy currently benefits only a subgroup of patients, may induce responses of limited duration and is associated with potentially treatment-limiting side effects. In addition, responses to immu-notherapeutics are sometimes diminished by the emergence of a complex array of resistance mechanisms. The efficacy of immunotherapy depends on dynamic interactions between tumour cells and the immune landscape in the tumour microenvironment. Ultrasound, especially in conjunction with cavitation-promoting agents such as microbubbles, can assist in the uptake and/or local release of immunotherapeutic agents at specific target sites, thereby increasing treatment efficacy and reducing systemic toxicity. There is also increasing evidence that ultra-sound and/or cavitation may themselves directly stimulate a beneficial immune response. In this review, we sum-marize the latest developments in the use of ultrasound and cavitation agents to promote checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy.

Automated summary

Immunotherapy is a major modality in cancer medicine, but its efficacy is limited and it has potential side effects. Ultrasound and cavitation agents can enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy and stimulate immune responses.