Research led by scientists at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that responses to PD-1 checkpoint blockade immunotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma depended on whether or not they had previously received another immunotherapy—CTLA-4 blockade—as well as other factors.
The immune system can be a powerful tool to control cancer. Immune cells within our body detect cancer cells and release payloads that kill them. Transformative science in the last decade has led to the development of therapies that enhance the ability of our immune cells to carry out this function. These therapies, including checkpoint blockade and CAR-T cells, have been lifesaving for many patients that before had untreatable cancer. But, sadly, a majority of patients with advanced solid tumors still succumb to their disease.
