BITES and CARS and checkpoints, oh my! Updates regarding immunotherapy for myeloid malignancies from the 2018 annual ASH meeting

Blood Rev. 2020 Sep:43:100654. doi: 10.1016/j.blre.2020.100654. Epub 2020 Jan 21.

Abstract

It is without question that immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cellular therapies have revolutionized the treatment of solid and hematologic malignancies. Investigators are now developing novel strategies to integrate these groundbreaking modalities into the care of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other myeloid malignancies. Here we provide an overview of the most recent developments in immunotherapy for myeloid cancers presented at the 2018 American Society of Hematology annual meeting. Topics discussed include adoptive cellular therapies (CAR-T, NK cell, and vaccines), checkpoint inhibitors, and bispecific T-cell engager (BITE) antibodies. Despite reservations regarding low antigenicity and having long been considered a "cold" tumor, immunotherapy remains a highly promising strategy for patients with aggressive myeloid cancers like myelodysplasia (MDS) and AML.

Keywords: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML); BiTE; Bispecific antibody; CAR-T; Checkpoint inhibitor; Immunotherapy; Vaccine therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / therapeutic use
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / therapy*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / therapy
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / therapy*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors