title: Immune Therapy.
abstract: Lung cancer has long been considered an unsuitable target for immunotherapy due to its proposed immunoresistant properties. However, recent evidence has shown that anti-tumor immune responses can occur in lung cancer patients, paving the way for lung cancer as a novel target for immunotherapy. In order to take full advantage of the potential of immunotherapy, research is focusing on the presence and function of various immunological cell types in the tumor microenvironment. Immune cells which facilitate or inhibit antitumor responses have been identified and their prognostic value in lung cancer has been established. Knowledge regarding these pro- and anti-tumor immune cells and their mechanisms of action has facilitated the identification of numerous potential immunotherapeutic strategies and opportunities for intervention. A plethora of immunotherapeutic approaches is currently being developed and studied in lung cancer patients and phase 3 clinical trials are ongoing. Many different immunotherapies have shown promising clinical effects in patients with limited and advanced stage lung cancer, however, future years will have to tell whether immunotherapy will earn its place in the standard treatment of lung cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lysanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lievense
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aerts
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands. j.hegmans@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: Joost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hegmans
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D007155:Immunologic Factors
keywords: Cancer immunotherapy; Cellular immunotherapy; Immunosuppressive cells; Myeloid-derived suppressor cells; Personalized medicine; Regulatory T cells; Tumor antigens; Tumor microenvironment; Tumor vaccines; Tumor-associated macrophages