Use of immunotherapy in clinical management of genitourinary cancers – a review

Checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 have revolutionized oncologic care delivery, including clinical management of genitourinary malignancies. Despite significant associated improvement in patient outcomes, molecular heterogeneity of tumors, variable tumor engagement with the immune...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nataliya Mar, Edward Uchio, Arash Rezazadeh Kalebasty
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-01-01
Series:Cancer Treatment and Research Communications
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468294222000545
Description
Summary:Checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 have revolutionized oncologic care delivery, including clinical management of genitourinary malignancies. Despite significant associated improvement in patient outcomes, molecular heterogeneity of tumors, variable tumor engagement with the immune response, and unique patient factors likely account for different clinical responses to immunotherapy agents. A search for predictive biomarkers of treatment response to checkpoint inhibitors is underway and several candidates, although imperfect, have been identified. Multiple checkpoint inhibitors have received approval as monotherapies or in combination with other agents in genitourinary cancers and clinical trial data continues to rapidly evolve. This review summarizes key published evidence involving use of checkpoint inhibitors in management of urothelial carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma, and penile squamous cell carcinoma. This review aims to help oncology practitioners develop an up-to-date, evidence-based approach to using these agents when managing patients with genitourinary cancers in clinical practice.
ISSN:2468-2942