Immunotherapy of Cancer

Abstract

Cancer immunotherapy involves targeted immune-based strategies that unleash the patient's immune system to fight cancer. Over the past two decades, with the advances in our understanding of the regulation of immune responses, immunotherapy has become established as one of the pillars of cancer treatment. Immune checkpoint therapy has proven to be a paradigm shift due to significant tumor regression and durable clinical responses elicited in a subset of cancer patients. Ongoing research and clinical trials in the field of tumor immunotherapy are driving novel treatment options that will provide further advancements. Current challenges include rational development and optimization of combination strategies as well as identification of biomarkers associated with response and toxicities. Nonetheless, great strides have been made, with improved clinical outcomes and with a focus on continued research efforts to provide additional treatment strategies that will provide benefit for even more patients.