title: Immune checkpoint blockade in malignant mesothelioma.
abstract: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a very dismal prognosis. Current treatment for unresectable MM is largely unsatisfactory; therefore, new therapeutic approaches are eagerly awaited. A better understanding of the complex mechanisms of immune escape operated by neoplastic cells and the ability to unleash an efficient anti-tumor immune response by targeting regulatory immune checkpoint(s) with immunomodulatory monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), is leading to very promising clinical results in different tumor types. Herein, we highlight the clinical impact so far identified for these new immunomodulatory agents in MM patients and discuss their prospective use to design novel clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy. Electronic address: l.calabro@ao-siena.toscana.it.
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calabrò
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maio
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000086002:Mesothelioma, Malignant; D019139:Tumor Escape
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors