The evolving landscape of immunotherapy in solid tumors

While surgical resection, local and cytotoxic therapies have long formed the basis of cancer care, immunotherapy now plays a key role in supplementing and even replacing these agents in the first line. Here we review the early success of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 blockade and discuss biomarkers of therapeutic response. We next highlight a select group of novel targets in Phase III trials both as monotherapies and in combination with PD-1 inhibitors. Finally, we discuss innovations which seek to improve outcomes in therapy-resistant solid tumors.

Automated summary

This article discusses the importance of immunotherapy in cancer treatment and presents successful cases of PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade therapy, as well as biomarkers of therapeutic response. Additionally, it also examines novel targets in Phase III clinical trials and innovations aimed at improving outcomes in therapy-resistant solid tumors.