title: Epigenetic modifiers in immunotherapy: a focus on checkpoint inhibitors.
abstract: Immune surveillance should be directed to suppress tumor development and progression, involving a balance of coinhibitory and costimulatory signals that amplify immune response without overwhelming the host. Immunotherapy confers durable clinical benefit in 'immunogenic tumors', whereas in other tumors the responses are modest. Thus, immune checkpoint inhibitors may need to be combined with strategies to boost immune response or increase the tumor immune profile. Epigenetic aberrations contribute significantly to carcinogenesis. Recent findings suggest that epigenetic drugs prime the immune response by increasing expression of tumor-associated antigens and immune-related genes, as well as modulating chemokines and cytokines involved in immune system activation. This review describes our current understanding regarding epigenetic and immunotherapy combination, focusing on immune response priming to checkpoint blockade.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of California, Room A722, 1600 Divisadero St, Box 1770, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terranova-Barberio
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of California, Room A722, 1600 Divisadero St, Box 1770, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of California, Room A722, 1600 Divisadero St, Box 1770, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Munster
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D061025:Costimulatory and Inhibitory T-Cell Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007157:Immunologic Surveillance; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D061025:Costimulatory and Inhibitory T-Cell Receptors; D007155:Immunologic Factors
keywords: DNMT inhibitor; HDAC inhibitor; cancer; checkpoint inhibitors; epigenetics; immunotherapy