Immune checkpoint inhibitors as drugs or drug candidates in neoplastic diseases

Abstract

Despite of great progress in anti-neoplastic treatment the several solid tumors and hematologic malignancies still remain incurable. Immune system remains under control of several controlling mechanism. Genetic or epigenetic changes in neoplastic cells provide antigen-derived diversity; however, these cells do not initiate immune response. The main mechanism of development of immune resistance by tumor cells seems to be a change in expression of proteins engaged in the immune control point. Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors has emerged as promising modality of tumors showing response to several antigens, e.g. anti-CTLA-4 or PD1-PDL1 monoclonal antibodies. In this review we demonstrate the state in the field on this modality of anti-neoplastic treatment.