Moving Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Thoracic Tumors beyond NSCLC.
SCLC and malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) are historically characterized by a disappointing lack of significant therapeutic breakthroughs for novel agents, and both malignancies represent true unmet medical needs. Given the promising results of anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4 and anti-programmed cell death-1/programmed death ligand-1 antibodies in the treatment of advanced NSCLCs, these immune checkpoint inhibitors are now also under investigation in SCLC and MPM, as well as in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). Here, we review the biological and clinical rationale for immune checkpoint inhibition in SCLC, MPM, and TETs and present preliminary clinical results with available antibodies. Immunotherapeutic perspectives for these malignancies in terms of novel agents currently under evaluation or anticipated in the near future are also discussed. Current immune checkpoint blockers targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4 and the programmed cell death-1/programmed death ligand-1 axis, administered alone or in combination and as multimodality treatment, are likely to be a valuable addition to the therapeutic array for managing SCLC and MPM; studies in TETs, which are currently in their infancy, are merited. Close attention to potential toxicities will be important to the success of such strategies in these settings.
INSERM, U981, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy. Electronic address: francescofacchinetti2@gmail.com.
Francesco
F
Facchinetti
Drug Development Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France.
Aurélien
A
Marabelle
Division of Pathology, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
Giulio
G
Rossi
INSERM, U981, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Drug Development Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; University Paris-Sud Kremlin Bicetre/Chatenay-Malabry, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
Jean-Charles
JC
Soria
University Paris-Sud Kremlin Bicetre/Chatenay-Malabry, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France.
Benjamin
B
Besse
Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy.
Marcello
M
Tiseo
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000276:immunology*; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Malignant pleural mesothelioma; SCLC; Thymic epithelial tumors