Abstract
The successful treatment of hematological malignancies remains challenging. Prognosis is often dismal given the frequency of disease relapse or treatment refractory disease. Cytotoxic and cytostatic chemotherapy remain mainstream therapeutics for most hematological malignancies. However, improved understanding of tumor immunobiology is providing appealing anti-cancer strategies targeting selected component of immune response. Since approval of rituximab for treating B cell malignancies in 1997, availability of monoclonal antibodies against tumor specific surface molecules has driven the development of the emerging field of cancer immunotherapy. This strategy of modulating the immune response is taking an increasingly prominent role in the treatment of hematological malignancies with several new antibody-based therapeutics becoming available for patients with leukemia/lymphoma. In addition, with an increasingly appreciated role for T cell immunity in cancer pathogenesis, strategies enhancing T cell activation as well as inhibiting T cell suppression mechanisms are under active development. Therapeutic vaccines to improve efficacy of antigen processing and presentation, agonists for co-stimulatory molecules, adoptive transfer of genetically-modified T cells, as well as agents that suppress negative regulatory pathways for T cell function are all under active clinical investigation. Although most of these studies are in early stages, preliminary data are very promising. Availability of additional immune-based therapeutic options for patients with hematological malignancies is anticipated in the near future.
Keywords: Hematological malignancy, immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitor, leukemia, lymphoma, T cell immunity.
Graphical Abstract
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Head and Neck Disease
Head and neck diseases encompass a wide range of conditions affecting the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, nasal passages, sinuses, salivary glands, and other structures of the head and neck region. These diseases can have significantly on essential function, such as breathing, swallowing, speaking, as well as the quality of life. ...read more
Common mechanisms underpinning neurodevelopmental disorders and psychiatric diseases
A growing number of large-scale epidemiologic studies has strongly suggested that common mechanisms may be shared by aberrant brain development and psychiatric disorders. There is now an appreciation of synergic roles of genetic variants and environmental stress which profoundly affect the genome integrity and reshape brain development. This can lead ...read more
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