Summary
This 2019 narrative review in Nature Reviews Cancer examines the evolving landscape of biomarkers for predicting response to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy in cancer patients. The authors synthesise evidence on tumour-intrinsic and host-derived biomarkers that associate with clinical outcomes, including efficacy and immune-related adverse events. The review appears to conclude that whilst several biomarkers show promise, no single marker reliably predicts response across all patient populations, suggesting the need for integrated, multi-marker approaches and further validation in clinical trials.
UK applicability
UK cancer centres and the National Health Service use checkpoint inhibitors routinely in oncology practice; improved biomarker-driven patient selection could enhance treatment outcomes and reduce unnecessary exposure to immunotherapy in non-responsive patients. The review's conclusions on biomarker integration may inform UK clinical trial design and precision oncology guidelines.
Key measures
Predictive biomarkers for checkpoint inhibitor response; tumour mutational burden; PD-L1 expression; microsatellite instability; immune cell infiltration; adverse event biomarkers
Outcomes reported
The study reviewed biomarkers used to predict patient response and outcomes to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. The review synthesised evidence on tumour and host-derived biomarkers associated with treatment efficacy and adverse effects.
Topic tags
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