Jayakrishnan T, Yadav D, Huffman BM, Cleary JM. Immunological Checkpoint Blockade in Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Dramatic Responses Tempered By Frequent Resistance.
Curr Oncol Rep 2024:10.1007/s11912-024-01564-z. [PMID:
38861124 DOI:
10.1007/s11912-024-01564-z]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is an HPV-associated malignancy that has limited treatment options. Immunotherapy has expanded these options and here we review current and emerging immunotherapeutic approaches.
RECENT FINDINGS
Multiple studies of single-agent anti-PD1/PD-L1 immunotherapy have demonstrated a modest response rate of approximately 10% to 15%. While a minority of patients (~5%) with SCCA experience durable complete responses, most advanced SCCAs are resistant to anti-PD1/PD-L1 monotherapy. Given the need for more broadly effective immunotherapies, novel strategies, such as adaptive cell therapies and therapeutic vaccination, are being explored. To reduce the recurrence risk of localized high-risk SCCA, strategies combining immunotherapy with chemoradiation are also being investigated. While a small subset of patients with SCCA have prolonged responses to PD1-directed immunotherapy, the majority do not derive clinical benefit, and new immunotherapeutic strategies are needed. Better understanding of the immune microenvironment and predictive biomarkers could accelerate therapeutic advances.
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