title: CTLA4 blockade in mesothelioma: finally a competing strategy over cytotoxic/target therapy?
abstract: No second-line treatment significantly prolongs the survival of malignant mesothelioma patients who have a high unmet medical need. Here, we comment on the therapeutic potential of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein (CTLA)4-blockade by the anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) tremelimumab of refractory malignant mesothelioma patients. We also focus on the critical role of an accurate tumor assessment in the course of treatment with immunomodulating mAb. Finally, treatment with potentially effective, second-generation checkpoint(s) inhibiting mAb, as well future combination strategies in this deadly disease, will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Immunoterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Oncologia Medica, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Viale Mario Bracci n. 16, 53100, Siena, Italy, l.calabro@ao-siena.toscana.it.
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calabrò
authors.forename: Giovanni Luca
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Ceresoli
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: di Pietro
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cutaia
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morra
authors.forename: Ramy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000086002:Mesothelioma, Malignant; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C520704:tremelimumab