Combining Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors With Conventional Cancer Therapy

Yiyi Yan, Anagha Bangalore Kumar, Heidi Finnes, Svetomir N. Markovic, Sean Park, Roxana S. Dronca, Haidong Dong

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

81 Scopus citations

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have recently revolutionized cancer treatment, providing unprecedented clinical benefits. However, primary or acquired therapy resistance can affect up to two-thirds of patients receiving ICIs, underscoring the urgency to elucidate the mechanisms of treatment resistance and to design more effective therapeutic strategies. Conventional cancer treatments, including cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy, have immunomodulatory effects in addition to direct cancer cell-killing activities. Their clinical utilities in combination with ICIs have been explored, aiming to achieve synergetic effects with improved and durable clinical response. Here, we will review the immunomodulatory effects of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy, in the setting of ICI, and their clinical implications in reshaping modern cancer immunotherapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1739
JournalFrontiers in immunology
Volume9
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 27 2018

Keywords

  • chemotherapy
  • combination therapy
  • immunotherapy
  • radiotherapy
  • targeted therapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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