Acquired resistance for immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy: challenges and prospects
Xunrui Chen, Wenhui Zhang, Wenyan Yang, Min Zhou, Feng Liu
Abstract
Drug resistance has become an obstacle to the further development of immunotherapy in clinical applications and experimental studies. In the current review, the acquired resistance to immunotherapy was examined. The mechanisms of acquired resistance were based on three aspects as follows: The change of the tumor functions, the upregulated expression of inhibitory immune checkpoint proteins, and the effects of the tumor microenvironment. The combined use of immunotherapy and other therapies is performed to delay acquired resistance. A comprehensive understanding of acquired drug resistance may provide ideas for solving this dilemma.
Topics & Concepts
ImmunotherapyCancer immunotherapyTumor microenvironmentDrug resistanceImmune checkpointImmune systemDownregulation and upregulationCancerAcquired resistanceMedicineCancer researchImmunologyBiologyInternal medicineGeneBiochemistryMicrobiologyCancer Immunotherapy and BiomarkersImmunotherapy and Immune ResponsesImmune Cell Function and Interaction