Abstract

Immunotherapy is revolutionizing cancer therapy with a paradigm shift: antibodies are now designed to target immune cells rather than cancer cells with the aim of stimulating the anti-tumor immune response. Monoclonal antibodies targeted against CTLA-4, PD-1 or PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4 + anti-PD-1 combinations have shown potent activity with significant improvements in the overall survival of patients. Multiple other immunomodulatory drugs are currently in development. These novel therapies generate immune related adverse events that mimick auto-immune diseases. These side effects represent a major challenge for the implementation of immunotherapy in oncology. The aim of this talk will be to provide an update on the clinical results of combination therapies and discuss the current challenges and perspectives for the future of immuno-oncology.