Adapting Cancer Immunotherapy Models for the Real World.
Early experiments in mice predicted the success of checkpoint blockade immunotherapy in cancer patients. However, these same animal studies failed to accurately predict many of the limitations and toxicities of treatment. One of the likely reasons for this discrepancy is the nearly universal use of young healthy mice, which stand in stark contrast to diverse patient populations varying in age, weight, diet, and hygiene. Because these variables impact immunity and metabolism, they also influence outcomes during immunotherapy and should be incorporated into the study design of preclinical experiments. Here, we discuss recent findings that highlight how efficacy and toxicity of cancer immunotherapy are affected by patient variation, and how distinct host environments can be better modeled in animal studies.
Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, 1100 South Grand Boulevard, St Louis, MO 63104, USA.
Lauryn E
LE
Klevorn
Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, 1100 South Grand Boulevard, St Louis, MO 63104, USA; Alvin J. Siteman NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, St Louis, MO, USA. Electronic address: rteague@slu.edu.
Ryan M
RM
Teague
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061025:Costimulatory and Inhibitory T-Cell Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061025:Costimulatory and Inhibitory T-Cell Receptors
age; cancer; checkpoint blockade; immunotherapy; microbiota; obesity