Predictors of Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade

Cancer therapy has been revolutionized over the past several years through the use of immunotherapy—with demonstrable success in the treatment of multiple cancer types using immune checkpoint blockade and other therapeutic strategies. However, responses are still quite variable, and predictive biomarkers of response and toxicity are currently underdeveloped. A deep understanding of responses to immune checkpoint blockade pivots on a fundamental knowledge of antitumor immune responses, which are influenced by numerous factors in the tumor itself, in the tumor microenvironment, in host immunity, and in the local and extended environment. Together, a more holistic approach incorporating assessment of each of these factors will help facilitate a more customized and tailored approach in this age of precision medicine.