Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Human Glioma Microenvironment

Front Immunol. 2021 Jul 9:12:679425. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.679425. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors in adults. Despite the fact that they are relatively rare, they cause significant morbidity and mortality. High-grade gliomas or glioblastomas are rapidly progressing tumors with a very poor prognosis. The presence of an intrinsic immune system in the central nervous system is now more accepted. During the last decade, there has been no major progress in glioma therapy. The lack of effective treatment for gliomas can be explained by the strategies that cancer cells use to escape the immune system. This being said, immunotherapy, which involves blockade of immune checkpoint inhibitors, has improved patients' survival in different cancer types. This novel cancer therapy appears to be one of the most promising approaches. In the present study, we will start with a review of the general concept of immune response within the brain and glioma microenvironment. Then, we will try to decipher the role of various immune checkpoint inhibitors within the glioma microenvironment. Finally, we will discuss some promising therapeutic pathways, including immune checkpoint blockade and the body's effective anti-glioma immune response.

Keywords: Glioblastoma; Glioma; immune checkpoint; immune response; immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / immunology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / etiology
  • Brain Neoplasms / mortality
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Glioma / drug therapy*
  • Glioma / etiology
  • Glioma / mortality
  • Glioma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Immune Checkpoint Proteins / genetics
  • Immune Checkpoint Proteins / metabolism
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects*
  • Tumor Microenvironment / genetics
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Immune Checkpoint Proteins