Genetics Helps to Find Synergy for Immune Checkpoint and Targeted Combination Therapies.

Abstract

Checkpoint inhibitors, including anti-PD-L1 therapy, emerged as a treatment option for many cancer types, albeit with limited response rates. Combinations of immune-based and -targeted therapies are needed to achieve synergistic antitumor effects and provide much needed treatment personalization and improved response. Genetic alterations can be used as molecular drug targets and as biomarkers to select patients for specific therapies and their combinations. Fukumoto and colleagues present a promising example of this approach for the treatment of ovarian cancer with inactivating ARID1A mutations using a combination of the checkpoint and histone deacetylase inhibitors.<i>See related article by Fukumoto et al., p. 5482</i>.