Combined effects of exercise and immuno-chemotherapy treatments on tumor growth in MC38 colorectal cancer-bearing mice

Acute exercise induces transient modifications in the tumor microenvironment and has been linked to reduced tumor growth along with increased infiltration of immune cells within the tumor in mouse models. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of acute exercise before treatment administration on tumor growth in a mice model of MC38 colorectal cancer receiving an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) and chemotherapy. Six-week-old mice injected with colorectal cancer cells (MC38) were randomized in 4 groups: control (CTRL), immuno-chemotherapy (TRT), exercise (EXE) and combined intervention (TRT/EXE). Both TRT and TRT-EXE received ICI: anti-PD1-1 (1 injection/week) and capecitabine + oxaliplatin (5 times a week) for 1 week (experimentation 1), 3 weeks (experimentation 2). TRT-EXE and EXE groups were submitted to 50 minutes of treadmill exercise before each treatment administration. Over the protocol duration, tumor size has been monitored daily. Tumor growth and microenvironment parameters were measured after the intervention on Day 7 (D7) and Day 16 (D16). From day 4 to day 7, tumor volumes decreased in the EXE/TRT group while remaining stable in the TRT group (p=0.0213). From day 7 until day 16 tumor volume decreased with no significant difference between TRT and TRT/EXE. At D7 the TRT/EXE group exhibited a higher total infiltrate T cell (p=0.0118) and CD8+ cytotoxic T cell (p=0.0031). At D16, tumor marker of apoptosis, vascular integrity and inflammation were not significantly different between TRT and TRT/EXE. Our main result was that acute exercise before immuno-chemotherapy administration significantly decreased early-phase tumor growth (D0 to D4). Additionally, exercise led to immune cell infiltration changes during the first week after exercise, while no significant molecular alterations in the tumor were observed 3 weeks after exercise.

Fulminant Type 1 Diabetes-East and West

Fulminant type 1 diabetes is a subtype of type 1 diabetes in which beta cells are destroyed within days or a few weeks. The first criterion indicates a rise in blood glucose levels shown in the patient's history. The second suggests that the increase occurs suddenly within a very short period, as shown by the laboratory findings of the discrepancy between the glycated hemoglobin concentration and plasma glucose level. The third indicates a marked reduction in endogenous insulin secretion, which indicates almost complete destruction of beta cells. Fulminant type 1 diabetes is a common subtype in East Asian countries, including Japan, but rare in Western countries. Class II human leukocyte antigen and other genetic factors may have contributed to the skewed distribution. Environmental factors may also be involved including entero and herpes viruses and immune regulation during drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome; pregnancy may also affect it. In contrast, treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor of the anti-programmed cell death 1 antibody induces similar characteristics and incidence of diabetes as fulminant type 1 diabetes. Further studies are needed to clarify the etiology and clinical characteristics of fulminant type 1 diabetes. Although the incidence of this disease differs between the East and West, it is life-threatening; thus, it is important to diagnose fulminant type 1 diabetes without delay and treat it appropriately.

Depth of response may predict clinical outcome in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer treated with pembrolizumab-containing regimens

Background

Pembrolizumab-containing regimens are standards of care for recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). The depth of response (DpR) predicts the survival of patients with several types of solid cancers; however, its association with the survival outcomes of patients with R/M HNSCC treated with pembrolizumab-containing regimens remains unclear.

Methods

This study included 66 patients with R/M HNSCC who received a pemblolizumab-containing regimen as a first-line therapy at Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan. The patients' characteristics, combined positive score, baseline tumor size, tumor response, DpR, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), PFS2, and adverse events were reviewed. The associations between DpR and survival outcomes were analyzed.

Results

The 1 year-OS and 1 year-PFS rates of pembrolizumab-containing regimens were 69.4% and 24.4%, respectively. The response rate was 28.8%. The mean and median values of tumor change from baseline were 5.1% and -9.0%. In the correlation analysis, a significant negative correlation was observed between tumor change rate from baseline and survival outcomes (OS: r= -0.41, p=0.0017; PFS: r=-0.49, p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, DpR with tumor change of ≤-45 was associated with better OS and PFS.

Conclusion

DpR induced by pembrolizumab-containing regimens may be a predictive factor for OS and PFS in patients with R/M HNSCC.

Crosstalk between ILC3s and Microbiota: Implications for Colon Cancer Development and Treatment with Immune Check Point Inhibitors

Type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) are primarily tissue-resident cells strategically localized at the intestinal barrier that exhibit the fast-acting responsiveness of classic innate immune cells. Populations of these lymphocytes depend on the transcription factor RAR-related orphan receptor and play a key role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis, keeping host-microbial mutualism in check. Current evidence has indicated a bidirectional relationship between microbiota and ILC3s. While ILC3 function and maintenance in the gut are influenced by commensal microbiota, ILC3s themselves can control immune responses to intestinal microbiota by providing host defense against extracellular bacteria, helping to maintain a diverse microbiota and inducing immune tolerance for commensal bacteria. Thus, ILC3s have been linked to host-microbiota interactions and the loss of their normal activity promotes dysbiosis, chronic inflammation and colon cancer. Furthermore, recent evidence has suggested that a healthy dialog between ILC3s and gut microbes is necessary to support antitumor immunity and response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. In this review, we summarize the functional interactions occurring between microbiota and ILC3s in homeostasis, providing an overview of the molecular mechanisms orchestrating these interactions. We focus on how alterations in this interplay promote gut inflammation, colorectal cancer and resistance to therapies with immune check point inhibitors.

Bullous pemphigoid associated with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 and anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 therapy: A case series of 13 patients

We present a case series of 13 patients, the first Australian single-centre study of bullous pemphigoid (BP) associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI): cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen (CTLA4) and programmed cell death receptor (PD1) inhibitors. All our patients achieved adequate control of BP with a combination of treatments including oral prednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab and omalizumab. The majority of patients ceased or interrupted immunotherapy treatment upon diagnosis of BP and greater tumour progression was seen in the cohort who ceased immunotherapy.

Fatal toxicity induced by anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor in thymic epithelial tumor

A standard treatment for advanced thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) after initial treatment remains unavailable to date. Targeted immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) of the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) pathway may produce objective responses in TETs, notably thymic carcinoma. Findings of clinical trials suggested ICIs are a practical choice. However, the risk of severe immuno-related adverse events is higher in TETs. Concerning histologic subtypes, thymomas are more frequently associated with autoimmune disorders than carcinomas, so close monitoring is needed for thymomas. In this article, we describe four cases of fatal toxicity caused by anti-PD-1 therapy in TETs. Four patients with metastatic thymomas or carcinoma difficult to treat with first-line standard chemotherapy were treated with the anti-PD-1 drug pembrolizumab or sintilimab. The association of PD-1 inhibitors with a high proportion of severe immuno-related adverse events in TETs necessitates attentive monitoring during treatment.

Successful treatment with dacarbazine against a parathyroid hormone-related protein-producing melanoma causing hypercalcemia after immune checkpoint inhibitor failure

Cancer-associated hypercalcemia commonly occurs through abnormal secretions of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) from cancer cells. Several cases of PTHrP-producing melanoma causing hypercalcemia have been reported; however, effective management of PTHrP-producing BRAF wild-type melanoma causing hypercalcemia after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) failure is unclear. We report a case of PTHrP-producing BRAF wild-type melanoma leading to oncological emergency by hypercalcemia that was successfully treated with dacarbazine after ICI failure. A 65-year-old Japanese woman had advanced BRAF wild-type melanoma that was refractory to ICI, and then led to hypoxia through exacerbated lung metastases and pleural effusion. Moreover, hypercalcemia appeared in parallel with increase of the serum PTHrP level. Dacarbazine was administered, and after the first administration, the pleural effusion was gradually decreased and hypoxia rapidly disappeared, and the serum calcium and PTHrP levels were improved within normal limits. Dacarbazine after ICI failure is potentially a useful option for oncological emergency due to progression of BRAF wild-type melanoma including PTHrP-producing types. Dacarbazine should be reevaluated as a therapeutic option for oncological emergency in patients with BRAF wild-type melanoma after ICI failure.

CCR4 as a Therapeutic Target for Cancer Immunotherapy

Simple Summary

CCR4 is a chemokine receptor selectively expressed on normal T cell subsets such as type 2 helper T cells, skin-homing T cells and regulatory T cells, and on skin-associated T cell malignancies such as adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), which is etiologically associated with human T lymphocyte virus type 1 (HTLV-1), and cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCLs). Mogamulizumab is a fully humanized and glyco-engineered monoclonal anti-CCR4 antibody used for the treatment of refractory/relapsed ATLL and CTCLs, often resulting in complete remission. The clinical applications of Mogamulizumab are now being extended to solid tumors, exploring the therapeutic effect of regulatory T cell depletion. This review overviews the expression of CCR4 in various T cell subsets, HTLV-1-infected T cells, ATLL and CTCLs, and the clinical applications of Mogamulizumab.

Abstract

CCR4 is a chemokine receptor mainly expressed by T cells. It is the receptor for two CC chemokine ligands, CCL17 and CCL22. Originally, the expression of CCR4 was described as highly selective for helper T type 2 (Th2) cells. Later, its expression was extended to other T cell subsets such as regulatory T (Treg) cells and Th17 cells. CCR4 has long been regarded as a potential therapeutic target for allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. Furthermore, the findings showing that CCR4 is strongly expressed by T cell malignancies such as adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCLs) have led to the development and clinical application of the fully humanized and glyco-engineered monoclonal anti-CCR4 Mogamulizumab in refractory/relapsed ATLL and CTCLs with remarkable successes. However, Mogamulizumab often induces severe adverse events in the skin possibly because of its efficient depletion of Treg cells. In particular, treatment with Mogamulizumab prior to allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), the only curative option of these T cell malignancies, often leads to severe glucocorticoid-refractory graft-versus-host diseases. The efficient depletion of Treg cells by Mogamulizumab has also led to its clinical trials in advanced solid tumors singly or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The main focus of this review is CCR4; its expression on normal and malignant T cells and its significance as a therapeutic target in cancer immunotherapy.

Contribution of Ezrin on the Cell Surface Plasma Membrane Localization of Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 in Human Choriocarcinoma JEG-3 Cells

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) antibodies targeting programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) have improved survival in patients with conventional single agent chemotherapy-resistant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). However, many patients are resistant to ICB therapy, the mechanisms of which are poorly understood. Unraveling the regulatory mechanism for PD-L1 expression may provide a new strategy to improve ICB therapy in patients with GTN. Here, we investigated whether the ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) family, i.e., a group of scaffold proteins that crosslink actin cytoskeletons with several plasma membrane proteins, plays a role in the regulation of PD-L1 expression using JEG-3 cells, a representative human choriocarcinoma cell line. Our results demonstrate mRNA and protein expressions of ezrin, radixin, and PD-L1, as well as their colocalization in the plasma membrane. Intriguingly, immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that PD-L1 interacted with both ezrin and radixin and the actin cytoskeleton. Moreover, gene silencing of ezrin but not radixin strongly diminished the cell surface expression of PD-L1 without altering the mRNA level. These results indicate that ezrin may contribute to the cell surface localization of PD-L1 as a scaffold protein in JEG-3 cells, highlighting a potential therapeutic target to improve the current ICB therapy in GTN.

Ezrin Modulates the Cell Surface Expression of Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 in Human Cervical Adenocarcinoma Cells

Cancer cells employ programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), an immune checkpoint protein that binds to programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and is highly expressed in various cancers, including cervical carcinoma, to abolish T-cell-mediated immunosurveillance. Despite a key role of PD-L1 in various cancer cell types, the regulatory mechanism for PD-L1 expression is largely unknown. Understanding this mechanism could provide a novel strategy for cervical cancer therapy. Here, we investigated the influence of ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) family scaffold proteins, crosslinking the actin cytoskeleton and certain plasma membrane proteins, on the expression of PD-L1 in HeLa cells. Our results showed that all proteins were expressed at mRNA and protein levels and that all ERM proteins were highly colocalized with PD-L1 in the plasma membrane. Interestingly, immunoprecipitation assay results demonstrated that PD-L1 interacted with ERM as well as actin cytoskeleton proteins. Furthermore, gene silencing of ezrin, but not radixin and moesin, remarkably decreased the protein expression of PD-L1 without affecting its mRNA expression. In conclusion, ezrin may function as a scaffold protein for PD-L1; regulate PD-L1 protein expression, possibly via post-translational modification in HeLa cells; and serve as a potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer, improving the current immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

A Retrospective Study of Brain Metastases From Solid Malignancies: The Effect of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Introduction

Brain metastases (BM) are associated with dismal prognosis, and there is a dearth of effective systemic therapy. In this study, patients with BM from multiple solid tumors were identified from TriNetX databases, their clinicopathological features were evaluated, and the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy were assessed.

Methods

Variables, including median overall survival (OS), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, primary diagnosis, and date of diagnosis, were retrieved from TriNetX, a real-world database. Kaplan-Meier plots and log-rank tests were applied to assess significance of differences in survival. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) values were calculated. All patient data were deidentified.

Results

A total of 227,255 patients with BM were identified in the TriNetX database; median OS was 12.3 months from initial cancer diagnosis and 7.1 months from development of BM. OS of BM from nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), melanoma, and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were 8.7, 14.7, 17.8, and 15.6 months, respectively. After matching patient baseline characteristics, OS of cohorts with or without exposure to ICIs was evaluated. For all types of cancer, median OS durations for the ICI and no-ICI cohorts were 14.0 and 7.9 months, respectively (HR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.85–0.91). More specifically, OS was remarkably prolonged in patients with NSCLC (14.4 vs. 8.2 months; HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.82–0.90), TNBC (23.9 vs. 11.6 months; HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.82–0.92), and melanoma (27.6 vs. 16.8 months; HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.73–0.88) if patients had exposure to ICIs. In contrast, there was no significant difference in OS of patients with RCC treated with and without ICIs (16.7 vs. 14.0 months; HR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.86–1.10).

Conclusions

Overall, BM indicates poor patient outcome. Treatment with ICIs improves survival of patients with NSCLC, TNBC, and melanoma and BM; however, no significant improvement was observed in RCC. Investigations to identify prognostic features, oncogenomic profiles, and predictive biomarkers are warranted.

Complete and durable response to immune checkpoint inhibitor in a patient with refractory and metastatic hepatoblastoma

We herein report the case of a girl with PRETEXT III hepatoblastoma (HB) developing recurrent lung metastases despite multiple chemotherapy regimens, aggressive tumor excision, multiple lung metastasectomies, and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. High tumor mutation burden (TMB) was identified through targeted next-generation sequencing, and pembrolizumab was administered post-operatively as a last resort. A complete and sustained response to the immune checkpoint inhibitor was achieved for 22 months. Although the majority of HB have a low TMB, immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy may be useful for patients with refractory HBs with a high TMB.

Clinical sequencing to assess tumor mutational burden as a useful biomarker to immunotherapy in various solid tumors

Background:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become established as a new therapeutic paradigm in various solid cancers. Predictive biomarkers to ICIs have not yet been fully established. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) has been considered as a useful marker to indicate patients who benefit from ICIs.

Methods:

We performed next-generation sequencing, including TMB analysis, as a routine clinical practice in 501 patients with advanced gastrointestinal (GI), genitourinary (GU), or rare cancers. The TruSight^™ Oncology 500 assay from Illumina was used as a cancer panel.

Results:

In total, 11.6% (58/501) were identified with tumors with high TMB and MSI-high status was confirmed in seven out of 501 cases (1.4%). High TMB was observed in 11.6% of patients with various solid tumors, including: GU cancers (36.0%, 9/25), colorectal cancer (15.2%, 23/151), biliary tract cancer (14.6%, 7/48), melanoma (14.3%, 3/21), gastric cancer (11.2%, 13/116), hepatocellular carcinoma (8.3%, 1/12), other GI tract cancers (4.5%, 1/22), and sarcoma (1.7%, 1/60). The objective response rate (ORR) to ICIs was 75% (nine out of 12) in solid tumor patients with high TMB and 25% (30 out of 40) in those with non-high TMB. Patients with high TMB had better ORR to ICIs than those with non-high TMB (p = 0.004). Univariate analysis revealed that the status of PD-L1 expression and of TMB (high versus non-high) had significant association in response to ICIs. However, in multivariate analysis, the status of TMB (high versus non-high) was only significantly related to the response to ICIs (p = 0.036).

Conclusion:

In the present study, we analyzed the TMB using a cancer panel for various solid tumor patients in routine clinical practice and also demonstrated the usefulness of TMB to predict the efficacy for ICIs.

Management of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicities

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have radically changed the clinical outcome of several cancers with durable responses. CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4), PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) or PDL-1 (programmed cell death ligand protein 1) represent ICIs that can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other agents. The toxicity p\rofiles of ICIs differ from the side effects of cytotoxic agents and come with new toxicities like immune-related adverse events. Typically, these toxicities occur in all organs. However, the main organs affected are the skin, digestive, hepatic, lungs, rheumatologic, and endocrine. Most of the immune toxicity that occurs is low grade but some more severe toxicities can occur that require a rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The recognition of symptoms by physicians and patient is necessary to resolve them rapidly and adapt treatment to allow the toxicity to resolve.

Neoadjuvant Immune-Checkpoint Blockade in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Current Evidence and Literature-Based Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Simple Summary

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, which encompasses several subgroups of entities widely varying by clinical-pathological features. Triple negative breast cancer is characterized by a particularly aggressive biological behavior. The administration of chemotherapy has long represented the most efficacious weapon in combating triple negative breast cancer in both its initial and late phase of development. A pivot point has been recently reached throughout the approval of the immunotherapic agent atezolizumab in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for programmed-death ligand 1-positive, unresectable locally advanced, or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Results from the registrative trial, IMpassion 130, have increasingly fueled the flourishing of studies of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in the early stage of triple negative breast cancer development. We critically interpret results from the most recent literature in light of relevant issues of methodological nature and also present a quantitative summary of data from the inherent trials. Future directions are also highlighted.

Abstract

Chemotherapy based on the sequential use of anthracyclines and taxanes has long represented the most efficacious approach in the management of early-stage, triple-negative breast cancer, whose aggressive behavior is widely renowned. This standard chemotherapy backbone was subsequently enriched by the use of carboplatin, based on its association with increased pathologic complete response and efficacy in the metastatic setting. Following the results from the IMpassion130 trial, the recent approval of the immunotherapic agent atezolizumab in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for programmed-death ligand 1-positive, unresectable locally advanced, or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer increasingly fueled the flourishing of trials of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in the early setting. In this work, we review the most recent inherent literature in light of key methodological issues and provide a quantitative summary of the results from phase II–III randomized trials of immunotherapic agents combined with chemotherapy in the setting of interest. Hints regarding future directions are also discussed.

Peripheral PD1-positive CD4 T-Lymphocyte Count Can Predict Progression-free Survival in Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor

BACKGROUND/AIM

Little information is available about the association between peripheral T-lymphocyte expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We analyzed the PD1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA4) expression in peripheral blood T-lymphocytes of patients with NSCLC receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with NSCLC who were scheduled to receive treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors were prospectively enrolled in this study between November 2017 and November 2018. Peripheral blood samples were obtained within 1 week before or after the initiation of treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

RESULTS

Flow cytometry was conducted in 19 patients. Patients were treated with nivolumab, pembrolizumab, or atezolizumab. The group with a high percentage of PD1⁺CD4⁺ T-lymphocytes relative to the total CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte count had a longer progression-free survival [median=6.0 (95% confidence intervaI=0.5-not estimated) months] than the group with a low percentage of PD1⁺CD4⁺ T-lymphocytes [median=1.1 (95% confidence intervaI=0.4-5.0) months; p=0.034, log-rank test]. However, no significant associations were detected with the percentages of CTLA4⁺CD4⁺, PD1⁺CD8⁺ or CTLA4⁺CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood.

CONCLUSION

A high percentage of peripheral CD4⁺PD1⁺ T-lymphocytes was associated with a longer progression-free survival in patients receiving treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor. The systemic immune system may have an influence on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients with NSCLC.

Severe Exacerbation of Myasthenia Gravis Associated with Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy

Monoclonal antibodies that target either PD-1 or PD-L1 have recently been approved for treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. These antibodies are immune checkpoint inhibitors which have been shown to exacerbate Myasthenia Gravis (MG) and other autoimmune diseases. While effective in preventing tumor cells from evading immune attack, immune checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab, an antibody directed against the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) receptor located on T-cells, may also cause immune dysregulation and could cause or potentiate pre-existing autoimmune conditions. We present a patient with latent ocular MG treated with nivolumab for her stage IV non-small cell lung cancer who developed generalized MG and severe myasthenic crisis. Providers must be aware of the risks inherent to these novel therapies since they can have life-threatening effects.

Biomarkers for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Mediated Tumor Response and Adverse Events

In the last decade, inhibitors targeting immune checkpoint molecules such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) brought about a major paradigm shift in cancer treatment. These immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) improved the overall survival of a variety of cancer such as malignant melanoma and non-small lung cancer. In addition, numerous clinical trials for additional indication of ICIs including adjuvant and neo-adjuvant therapies are also currently ongoing. Therefore, more and more patients will receive ICIs in the future. However, despite the improved outcome of the cancer treatment by ICIs, the efficacy remains still limited and tumor regression have not been obtained in many cancer patients. In addition, treatment with ICIs is also associated with substantial toxicities, described as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Therefore, biomarkers to predict tumor response and occurrence of irAEs by the treatment with ICIs are required to avoid overtreatment of ICIs and minimize irAEs development. Whereas, numerous factors have been reported as potential biomarkers for tumor response to ICIs, factors for predicting irAE have been less reported. In this review, we show recent advances in the understanding of biomarkers for tumor response and occurrence of irAEs in cancer patients treated with ICIs.

The Evolving Landscape of Immunotherapy-Based Combinations for Frontline Treatment of Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

Insights into the biology of advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) and the development of agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway have positively impacted the outcomes for patients with aRCC. With the recent approval of the dual immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), nivolumab and ipilimumab, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the era of VEGF monotherapy for untreated aRCC appears to be coming to an end for patients with access to the combination therapy. The frontline treatment options for renal cell carcinoma are evolving rapidly and will lead to the approval of other combination immunotherapies-especially those with VEGF inhibitors. Here we review the clinical data for dual immune checkpoint inhibition with nivolumab plus ipilimumab as well as the emerging data for ICI plus VEGF inhibitor combinations and discuss the challenges these will pose for the clinical practitioner.

Hyperprogressive disease in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with nivolumab: A case series

Nivolumab is an anti‐PD‐1 blocking monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, some patients on immunotherapy may experience rapid progression and worsening clinical status, known as hyperprogressive disease. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients with NSCLC administered nivolumab therapy at Toneyama National Hospital, Japan, from January 2016 to January 2018. Of the 87 patients administered nivolumab therapy, five experienced rapid progression during one cycle of nivolumab therapy. Four patients were treated with corticosteroids to overcome their symptomatic events. Nivolumab exhibited efficacy after temporal progression, so‐called “pseudoprogression”, in three patients, and their symptoms and laboratory results improved. In the other patient, pleural and pericardial effusions increased after nivolumab therapy, and drainage was required, with no subsequent recurrence. The clinical courses of our case series indicate that alternative treatment, namely high‐dose corticosteroids, antibiotics, and drainage, effectively treated the symptoms of rapid tumor progression. Of note, corticosteroids suppressed the temporary inflammatory reaction to nivolumab. Although hyperprogressive disease is thought to be associated with poor quality of life and survival, these treatment strategies may be useful in patients with expected responses to immunotherapy.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors in neuroendocrine tumors: A single institution experience with review of literature

This unique case series and review of literature suggests that immune checkpoint inhibitors may have clinical activity in neuroendocrine tumors.

Objective

Summarize advances of immuno-oncology in neuroendocrine tumors with the help of a case series.

Design

Case series and review of literature.

Intervention or Exposure

The patients were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (pembrolizumab or nivolumab).

Main Outcomes and Measuress

Life expectancy, quality of life, disease progression.

Results

Maximum durable response of 16 months in one of the patients so far. All patients showed improvement in quality of life before disease progression. Two out of four are still on therapy. None of the patients experienced immune checkpoint inhibitor associated side-effects. All patients had failed standard of care therapy prior to the initiation of immune checkpoint inhibitors and were on the verge of hospice.

Conclusions

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer management and the last 5 years have seen a rapid expansion in the indications for this class of drug. Neuroendocrine tumors, unfortunately, have been slow to catch on to the immuno-oncology, partly due to difficulties in establishing relevant preclinical neuroendocrine tumors models for immune-oncology studies. In this manuscript, we review the current status of immunotherapy in neuroendocrine tumors.