Can we develop biomarkers that predict response of cancer patients to immunotherapy?
OBJECTIVE
The primary objective is to delineate the potential utility of cancer biomarkers that correlate and predict response to immunotherapy in cancer patients who are refractory to conventional therapeutics. Unlike significant development of biomarkers that predict response to chemotherapy, very few biomarkers have been developed to predict the response to immunotherapy.


RESULTS
This article describes briefly the importance of characterizing and validating biomarkers for immunotherapy. A few examples have been provided, such as the transcription factor NF-kappaB, the transcription repressor Yin-Yang 1 (YY1), the pro-apoptotic gene product (Smac/DIABLO) and the circulating Fas and Fas ligand. These biomarkers have been determined to be of prognostic significance in different cancers.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunotherapy is considered as an alternative therapy in the treatment of cancer patients who are refractory to chemotherapy/radiation/hormonal therapies. Cross-resistance to apoptosis develops between cancer cells that are resistant to conventional therapeutics and immunotherapy. Therefore, it is important to develop biomarkers that will determine patient response to immunotherapy.
Bonavida
B
B
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen Medical School, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. bbonavida@mednet.ucla.edu
Huerta-Yepez
S
S
Goodglick
L
L
Mizutani
Y
Y
Miki
T
T
D000818:Animals; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D050986:YY1 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C412403:DIABLO protein, human; C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors; D050986:YY1 Transcription Factor; C494698:YY1 protein, human; D019014:fas Receptor