Immunotherapy in Gynecologic Cancers: What We Know Now and Where We Are Headed

Author(s):  
Kimberly Levinson ◽  
Oliver Dorigo ◽  
Krista Rubin ◽  
Kathleen Moore

Immunotherapy, mainly in the form of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has been transformative in both solid tumor and hematologic malignancies. Patients with previously terminal illnesses have experienced profound responses of great durability with these agents, fueling excitement among patients and providers regarding their use. Unfortunately, the gains seen in some solid tumors have not been replicated in a large percentage of patients with gynecologic cancer. This review focuses on the clinical benefits seen to date, toxicities and management when using ICIs, ways to improve prediction of who should receive immunotherapy, and a discussion of next-generation immunotherapy with cellular therapeutics and how these might relate to gynecologic cancers.

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3301
Author(s):  
Maureen L. Drakes ◽  
Cheryl M. Czerlanis ◽  
Patrick J. Stiff

This review provides an update on the current use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in female gynecologic cancers, and it addresses the potential of these agents to provide therapy options for disease management and long-term remission in advanced disease patients, where surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation fail to meet this goal. The topic of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) blocking cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) and the programmed death-1 (PD-1) axis has come to the forefront of translational medicine over the last decade for several malignancies. The text will focus primarily on a discussion of ovarian cancer, which is the most frequent cause of death of gynecologic cancers; endometrial cancer, which is the most often diagnosed gynecologic cancer; and cervical cancer, which is the third most common female gynecologic malignancy, all of which unfavorably alter the lives of many women. We will address the critical factors that regulate the outcome of these cancer types to ICI therapy, the ongoing clinical trials in this area, as well as the adverse immune responses that impact the outcome of patients given ICI regimens.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanita Noronha ◽  
George Abraham ◽  
Vijay Patil ◽  
Amit Joshi ◽  
Nandini Menon ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Myers

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (icis) such as inhibitors of ctla-4, PD-1, and PD-L1, given as monotherapy or combination therapy have emerged as effective treatment options for immune-sensitive solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. The benefits of icis can be offset by immune-related adverse events (iraes) that leave all organ systems vulnerable and subsequently increase the risk for morbidity and mortality.Because of fluctuating onset and prolonged duration, the toxicities associated with iraes represent a shift from the understanding of conventional anticancer toxicities. The ctla-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors modulate T-cell response differently, resulting in distinct toxicity patterns, toxicity kinetics, and dose–toxicity relationships. Using individualized patient education, screening, and assessment for the early identification of iraes is key to proactive management and is therefore key to improving outcomes and prolonging therapy.Management of iraes is guided by appropriate grading, which sets the stage for the treatment setting (outpatient vs. inpatient), ici treatment course (delay vs. discontinuation), supportive care, corticosteroid use, organ specialist consultation, and additional immunosuppression. Health care professionals in oncology must work collaboratively with emergency and community colleagues to facilitate an understanding of iraes in an effort to optimize seamless care.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. viii427
Author(s):  
M. Riudavets Melia ◽  
L.P. del Carpio ◽  
I. Gabriela Sullivan ◽  
A. Barba Joaquín ◽  
P. Maroto Rey ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001427
Author(s):  
Karen Kelly ◽  
Juliane Manitz ◽  
Manish R Patel ◽  
Sandra P D’Angelo ◽  
Andrea B Apolo ◽  
...  

BackgroundAdverse events (AEs) of special interest that arise during treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, including immune-related AEs (irAEs), have been reported to be associated with improved clinical outcomes. We analyzed patients treated with avelumab from the JAVELIN Solid Tumor and Merkel 200 trials, examining the association between AEs and efficacy while adjusting for confounding factors such as treatment duration and event order.MethodsWe analyzed efficacy and safety data from 1783 patients treated with the programmed death ligand 1 inhibitor avelumab who were enrolled in expansion cohorts of the JAVELIN Solid Tumor and Merkel 200 trials. To analyze the association between irAEs and efficacy with regard to survival, we used a time-dependent Cox model with time-varying indicators for irAEs, as well as multistate models that accounted for competing risks and time inhomogeneity.Results295 patients (16.5%) experienced irAEs and 454 patients (25.5%) experienced infusion-related reactions. There was a reduced risk of death in patients who experienced irAEs compared with those who did not (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.85) using the time-dependent Cox model. The multistate model did not suggest that the occurrence of irAEs could predict response; however, it predicted a higher chance of irAEs occurring after a response. No association was observed between response and infusion-related reactions.ConclusionsPatients who experience irAEs showed improved survival. Although irAEs are not predictors for response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, increased vigilance for irAEs is needed after treatment with avelumab.Trial registration numbersNCT01772004 and NCT02155647.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 370-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanvir F. Kabir ◽  
Aman Chauhan ◽  
Lowell Anthony ◽  
Gerhard C. Hildebrandt

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