Personalized Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment: A Mini Review

Antibody based immunotherapy: Antibodies are unique molecule that recognizes very specific peptides and proteins. They can block signaling pathways by binding to crucial molecules. This property is being used in several immunotherapeutic approaches [3]. For example activation of T lymphocytes is triggered by binding of antigenic peptides and co-stimulatory molecules to the T-cell receptor, and the IL-2 mediated signaling. The antigenic peptides bound to major-histocompatibility complex of antigen presenting cells present them to the T-cells, which triggers the downstream events. Thus, a complex interplay between the antigen presenting cells, Tlymphocytes and target cells is necessary for an antigen specific immune response [4]. Upon T-cell activation, CTLA-4 is expressed on the surface competes with CD28 to bind to CD80 and CD86. Thus, the T-cells are inactivated by CTLA-4 by competing against the activation of the stimulatory molecules such as CD28. The ability to block CTLA-4 with an antibody to potentiate T cell activation and response against tumor cells provided the scientific foundation for the development of mAbs for cancer treatment (eg., ipilimumab) [5].