Link to download eBook: https://viewonline.the-scientist.com/checking-checkpoints-for-treating-cancer-multisponsored-ebook
In this issue, I contributed 4 short science news stories on checkpoint inhibitors.
Fecal Transplants Could Help Combat Checkpoint Inhibitor Resistance
In two different Phase I trials, researchers demonstrated the safety of fecal microbiota transplant and provided evidence that it improves treatment response in a subset of melanoma patients.
References: 1 ) E.N. Baruch et al., “Fecal microbiota transplant promotes response in immunotherapy-refractory melanoma patients,” Science, doi: 10.1126/science. abb5920. 2 ) D. Davar et al., “Fecal microbiota transplant overcomes resistance to anti-PD1 therapy in melanoma patients,” Science, doi: 10.1126/science.abf3363.
Predicting Immunotherapy Response from Tumor Gene Expression
Using pan-cancer whole-exome and transcriptome data and multivariate predictive models, researchers identified biomarkers associated with sensitivity to checkpoint inhibitors.
Reference: K. Litchfield et al., “Meta-analysis of tumor- and T cell-intrinsic mechanisms of sensitization to checkpoint inhibition,” Cell, doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.02.002
A Targeted Delivery System for Checkpoint Inhibitors Improves Efficacy
New research shows how encapsulating checkpoint inhibitors in metal-organic frameworks can lead to a more targeted and sustained delivery to the tumor microenvironment.
Reference: S.K. Alsaiari et al., “Sustained and targeted delivery of checkpoint inhibitors by metal-organic frameworks for cancer immunotherapy,” Science Advances, doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abe7174.
A Simple and Cost-Effective Pan-Cancer Biomarker
In a retrospective study of cancer patients on checkpoint inhibitors, researchers showed how a biomarker obtained from a routine blood test may predict sensitivity to checkpoint inhibitor treatment.
Reference: C. Valero et al., “Pretreatment neutrophil- to-lymphocyte ratio and mutational burden as biomarkers of tumor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors,” Nature Communications, doi 10.1038/s41467-021- 20935-9.
