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Published in:

01-07-2014 | Focussed Research Review

Monitoring the immune competence of cancer patients to predict outcome

Authors: Serena Chang, Holbrook Kohrt, Holden T. Maecker

Published in: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy | Issue 7/2014

Abstract

A new era of cancer immunotherapy has brought not only successful cancer vaccines but also immunomodulators, such as those that target checkpoint blockade in order to induce endogenous host immune responses. However, the immune system of cancer patients can be compromised through multiple means, including immune suppression by the tumor and by prior therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation. Therefore, a comprehensive means of assessing patient immunocompetence would seem helpful for determining whether patients are ready to benefit from immunotherapy, and perhaps even which immunotherapy might be most appropriate for them. Unfortunately, there are no standardized tests for immune competence, nor is there agreement on what to measure and what will be predictive of outcome. In this review, we will discuss the technologies and assays that might be most useful for this purpose. We argue for a comprehensive approach that should maximize the chances of developing predictive biomarkers for eventual clinical use.

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Title: Monitoring the immune competence of cancer patients to predict outcome
Authors: Serena Chang
Holbrook Kohrt
Holden T. Maecker
Publication date: 01-07-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy / Issue 7/2014
Print ISSN: 0340-7004
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-014-1521-3

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