A Primer On Cancer Immunotherapy Part 1: Goals And Major Approaches

By Ashley Herrick, Executive Director, Oncology Program Strategy, Premier Research

In recent years, immunotherapy has led to substantial advances in cancer therapy. In particular, the immune checkpoint inhibitors — PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors — have revolutionized treatment for certain hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved six immunotherapies across 19 cancer types and two tissue-agnostic conditions.

But widespread use of immune checkpoint therapy to treat cancers is hampered by unpredictable response rates and immune-related adverse events. To address these challenges, researchers are increasingly looking to combination therapies as a strategy for improving response and overcoming resistance. This post provides an introduction to cancer immunotherapy, exploring its immunological basis and the fundamental principles guiding the development of new treatments.