The emerging role of immunotherapy for the treatment of sarcoma

J Surg Oncol. 2021 Mar;123(3):730-738. doi: 10.1002/jso.26306. Epub 2020 Dec 1.

Abstract

Clinicians caring for patients with sarcoma founded the field of cancer immunotherapy. Despite this, contemporary success with immunotherapy for sarcoma has been limited. Here, we review immunotherapy for sarcoma including Coley's toxins, interleukin-2, adoptive cell transfer, and checkpoint blockade. We detail recent and ongoing efforts to combine checkpoint blockade with other immune modulators, surgery, or radiation. These results, along with ongoing investigations, have identified immunotherapeutic approaches as a promising avenue for progress in advanced sarcomas.

Keywords: bone sarcoma; checkpoint inhibition; immunotherapy; sarcomas; soft-tissue sarcoma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods
  • Interleukin-2 / therapeutic use
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Sarcoma / therapy*

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Interleukin-2