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CTLA4 blockade in mesothelioma: finally a competing strategy over cytotoxic/target therapy?

  • Focussed Research Review
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Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

No second-line treatment significantly prolongs the survival of malignant mesothelioma patients who have a high unmet medical need. Here, we comment on the therapeutic potential of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein (CTLA)4-blockade by the anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) tremelimumab of refractory malignant mesothelioma patients. We also focus on the critical role of an accurate tumor assessment in the course of treatment with immunomodulating mAb. Finally, treatment with potentially effective, second-generation checkpoint(s) inhibiting mAb, as well future combination strategies in this deadly disease, will be discussed.

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Abbreviations

AUC:

Area under the curve

CT:

Computed tomography

CTLA4:

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen4

DCR:

Disease control rate

DHA:

DNA hypomethylating agent

ICOS:

Inducible costimulator

Ig:

Immunoglobulin

Iv:

Intravenous

mAb:

Monoclonal antibody

MM:

Malignant mesothelioma

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

OS:

Overall survival

PD:

Progressing disease

PD-1:

Programmed cell death 1

PD-L1:

Programmed cell death ligand 1

PD-L2:

Programmed cell death ligand 2

RECIST:

Response evaluation criteria in solid tumors

RR:

Response rate

TTP:

Time to progression

W:

Week

Wks:

Weeks

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by unrestricted grants from the Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Istituto Toscano Tumori, and MedImmune.

Conflict of interest

Luana Calabrò served on Advisory Boards for Bristol-Myers Squibb. Giovanni Luca Ceresoli declares no conflict of interest. Alessandra di Pietro is a full time employee of MedImmune. Ornella Cutaia declares no conflict of interest. Aldo Morra declares no conflict of interest. Ramy Ibrahim is a full time employee of Astrazeneca. Michele Maio served on Advisory Boards for Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche-Genentech, and MedImmune.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Immunoterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Oncologia Medica, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Viale Mario Bracci n. 16, 53100, Siena, Italy

    Luana Calabrò, Ornella Cutaia & Michele Maio

  2. Thoracic and GU Oncology Unit, Cliniche Humanitas Gavazzeni, Bergamo, Italy

    Giovanni Luca Ceresoli

  3. Clinical Development Oncology-MedImmune, Gaithersburg, MD, USA

    Alessandra di Pietro

  4. Department of Radiology, Euganea Medica Diagnostic Center, Padua, Italy

    Aldo Morra

  5. Clinical, Immuno-Oncology, Global Medicines Development, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA

    Ramy Ibrahim

Authors
  1. Luana Calabrò
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  2. Giovanni Luca Ceresoli
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  3. Alessandra di Pietro
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  4. Ornella Cutaia
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  5. Aldo Morra
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  6. Ramy Ibrahim
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  7. Michele Maio
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luana Calabrò.

Additional information

This paper is a Focussed Research Review based on a presentation given at the Eleventh Meeting of the Network Italiano per la Bioterapia dei Tumori (NIBIT) on Cancer Bio-Immunotherapy, held in Siena, Italy, 17th–19th October 2013. It is part of a CII series of Focussed Research Reviews and meeting report.

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Calabrò, L., Ceresoli, G.L., di Pietro, A. et al. CTLA4 blockade in mesothelioma: finally a competing strategy over cytotoxic/target therapy?. Cancer Immunol Immunother 64, 105–112 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-014-1609-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-014-1609-9

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