{"title":"Novel vaccines against lung cancer.","authors":"Sofia Baka, George Iraklis, Evanthia Papadopoulou","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001102","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001102","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Despite recent advances in immunotherapy treatment for metastatic, early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), palliative, adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and perioperative treatment options, further development is needed. Exploring new frontiers of immuno-oncology is necessary. Researchers are interested in a therapeutic vaccination model.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>In this paper, we provide a review of the latest lung cancer therapeutic vaccines.We describe strategies for antigen selection and delivery platforms. As of 5 th of August 2024, we have reviewed ongoing clinical trials and results.We summarize most of the important clinical trials of novel vaccines, the way of action, and available clinical data. We also discuss the pros and cons of various types of therapeutic vaccines.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Until recently, clinical trial results were mixed regarding the efficacy of therapeutic vaccines in lung cancer.Developing next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic technologies has helped identify suitable antigens. New personalized vaccines are based on neoantigens specific to unique tumor mutations.Neoantigens, instead of tumor-associated antigens, better delivery systems and adjuvants will improve antigen presentation and immune system activation.Combining these therapeutic vaccines with other therapeutic approaches will improve and prolong the response.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"73-83"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142343311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Reproductive life and differentiated thyroid carcinoma in women: reciprocal influences on their respective outcome.","authors":"Giuseppe Costante, Aglaia Kyrilli, Kris Poppe","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001104","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To analyze the reciprocal influences between female reproductive life and DTC management.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Data on pregnancy outcome in DTC patients indicate that after conceiving, these women may need an increased L-T4 dose to maintain suppressed serum TSH levels. Nevertheless, this does not determine major harm in terms of pregnancy outcome. Analogously, the most recent findings obtained with the propensity score matching approach have confirmed that pregnancy does not significantly affect DTC clinical course and eventually tumor prognosis. A recent metanalysis and a large case-control study excluded a significant effect of radioactive iodine treatment (RAIT) on several reproductive variables in DTC patients, providing reassuring evidence that the current recommendations on RAIT for women of childbearing age are sufficiently well tolerated and do not affect fertility nor pregnancy rate. Nonetheless, it seems reasonable to recommend special attention for older than 35 years women requiring higher RAIT activities.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Overall, the most recent studies have provided sufficiently reassuring evidence that the occurrence of pregnancy and DTC management are of no reciprocal harm for adverse outcome in affected women of childbearing age. Thus, female DTC patients should be managed according to the individual response to treatment before pregnancy. When DTC diagnosis is made after conception, delaying surgery does not represent a harm in most patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"7-11"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142460030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Immune checkpoint inhibitors in driver mutation-positive nonsmall cell lung cancer.","authors":"Rudolf M Huber, Diego Kauffmann-Guerrero","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001110","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001110","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted therapies have changed the landscape of management of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) dramatically. Whereas ICIs in NSCLC without specific driver mutations are well established it is unclear what the place of ICIs in driver mutation-positive NSCLC is. This review summarizes the current view on the use of ICIs in driver mutation-positive NSCLC.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Immune checkpoint inhibition in combination with chemotherapy (and antiangiogenesis) in recurrent driver mutation-positive NSCLC after tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy may be effective.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Currently the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in driver mutation-positive NSCLC is limited. They can in combination be applied in second and later line settings if no specific therapy is available.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"35-39"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142616409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel immunotherapeutic approaches in lung cancer: driving beyond programmed death-1/programmed death ligand-1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated Protein-4.","authors":"Blerina Resuli, Diego Kauffmann-Guerrero","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001106","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>In this review, our aim is to highlight the latest novel immunotherapeutic approaches for advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) beyond anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and anti- cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated Protein-4 (CTLA4).</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) revolutionized the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Despite that, patients develop primary or acquired resistance to ICIs. The discovery of novel approaches represents both an unmet need and an opportunity to improve outcomes in these patients.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>We summarized the most relevant novel immune checkpoints, many of them in their early phase of testing, to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art of immunotherapy in NSCLC beyond PD-1/PD-L1 and CTL-4 inhibitors.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"48-62"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142616410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Barbara Kiesewetter, Philipp Melhorn, Thorsten Fuereder
{"title":"Thymic malignancies: role of immunotherapy and novel approaches.","authors":"Barbara Kiesewetter, Philipp Melhorn, Thorsten Fuereder","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001101","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are a diverse group of malignancies that include thymomas (T), thymic carcinomas (TC), and thymic neuroendocrine tumors. Given the rarity of this disease, evidence defining the optimal treatment approach in the advanced/metastatic setting is limited. This article reviews the latest advances in systemic therapy for TETs, with a special focus on immunotherapy and targeted therapy strategies.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Multiple recent efforts have been made to integrate novel immunotherapies and targeted therapy approaches into the current treatment algorithm for T and TC. In addition to trials of checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy, combinatorial approaches with novel immunotherapies or targeted therapies are being explored. Molecular profiling may help identify druggable targets, further optimizing outcomes in this population.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has shown promising activity in TETs patients. However, toxicity in an unselected cohort, particularly in T patients, can be substantial, and therefore it is not recommended outside of clinical trials. Until additional research validates biomarkers to safely select patients for immunotherapy, targeted therapies remain a reasonable second-line option. Contemporary next-generation sequencing panels may be applied to identify druggable targets in the absence of standard treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"84-94"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142343313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent advances in immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer.","authors":"Ziyuan Ren, Shijie Shang, Dawei Chen","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001105","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001105","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review aims to provide an overview of recent advances in immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer (SCLC), with a focus on the current status of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), novel combination strategies, and key biomarkers.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The integration of ICIs into standard chemotherapy has established them as the first-line treatment for extensive-stage SCLC (ES-SCLC). The ADRIATIC trial further demonstrated the efficacy of ICI maintenance therapy in limited-stage SCLC. Additionally, combining radiotherapy with ICIs has shown promising synergistic effects, including the abscopal and radscopal effects. Ongoing investigations into the combination of ICIs with targeted therapies, such as antiangiogenic agents and DNA damage response inhibitors, have yielded encouraging preliminary results. Notably, the novel therapeutic agent tarlatamab, the first bispecific DLL3-directed CD3 T-cell engager, has recently received FDA approval for second-line treatment of ES-SCLC. Advances in omics technologies have shed light on the intra-tumor and inter-tumor heterogeneity of SCLC, leading to the identification of new molecular subtypes and biomarkers, thereby paving the way for precision medicine.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Despite the improved outcomes associated with immunotherapy in SCLC, the overall clinical benefit remains modest. Further preclinical and clinical studies are essential to identify optimal treatment regimens and enhance therapeutic efficacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"17-26"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142616411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Veronika Pozonec, Maria Dorothea Pozonec, Clemens Aigner, Joachim Widder, Kristiina Boettiger, Zsolt Megyesfalvi, Balazs Dome
{"title":"Prophylactic cranial irradiation for small cell lung cancer in the era of immunotherapy and molecular subtypes.","authors":"Veronika Pozonec, Maria Dorothea Pozonec, Clemens Aigner, Joachim Widder, Kristiina Boettiger, Zsolt Megyesfalvi, Balazs Dome","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001111","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/CCO.0000000000001111","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis, whereas its metastatic capacity carries a predilection for the brain. Although prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) has been used to address this problem, upcoming alternatives might necessitate reflection of its application in SCLC treatment.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The addition of immunotherapy to treatment guidelines has provided a new strategy for the management of brain metastases. Complementation of immunotherapy with active MRI surveillance could potentially replace PCI and avoid irradiation-related cognitive side effects. SCLC's molecular profile is heterogeneous, with differential response to treatment modalities between subgroups. Investigation of these variances might be essential to improve therapeutic outcomes in SCLC patients.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The role of PCI in SCLC treatment must be examined in light of immunotherapy. We summarize recent results, bearing SCLC subtypes and therapeutic vulnerabilities in mind, to derive tailored treatment strategies for SCLC patients in future settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142767105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chimeric antigen receptor adoptive immunotherapy in central nervous system tumors: state of the art on clinical trials, challenges, and emerging strategies to addressing them.","authors":"Giada Del Baldo, Andrea Carai, Angela Mastronuzzi","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001076","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001076","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Central nervous system (CNS) tumors represent a significant unmet medical need due to their enduring burden of high mortality and morbidity. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy emerges as a groundbreaking approach, offering hope for improved treatment outcomes. However, despite its successes in hematological malignancies, its efficacy in solid tumors, including CNS tumors, remains limited. Challenges such as the intricate tumor microenvironment (TME), antigenic heterogeneity, and CAR T-cell exhaustion hinder its effectiveness. This review aims to explore the current landscape of CAR T-cell therapy for CNS tumors, highlighting recent advancements and addressing challenges in achieving therapeutic efficacy.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Innovative strategies aim to overcome the barriers posed by the TME and antigen diversity, prevent CAR T-cell exhaustion through engineering approaches and combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors to improving treatment outcomes.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Researchers have been actively working to address these challenges. Moreover, addressing the unique challenges associated with neurotoxicity in CNS tumors requires specialized management strategies. These may include the development of grading systems, monitoring devices, alternative cell platforms and incorporation of suicide genes. Continued research efforts and clinical advancements are paramount to overcoming the existing challenges and realizing the full potential of CAR T-cell therapy in treating CNS tumors.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"545-553"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11460750/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141579229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eleonora Nicolò, Caterina Gianni, Giuseppe Curigliano, Carolina Reduzzi, Massimo Cristofanilli
{"title":"Modeling the management of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer with liquid biopsy: the future of precision medicine.","authors":"Eleonora Nicolò, Caterina Gianni, Giuseppe Curigliano, Carolina Reduzzi, Massimo Cristofanilli","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001082","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001082","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>In the evolving landscape of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) management, liquid biopsy offers unprecedented opportunities for guiding clinical decisions. Here, we review the most recent findings on liquid biopsy applications in HER2-positive BC and its potential role in addressing challenges specific to this BC subtype.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent studies have highlighted the significance of liquid biopsy analytes, primarily circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), in stratifying patients' prognosis, predicting treatment response, and monitoring tumor evolution in both early and advanced stages of BC. Liquid biopsy holds promise in studying minimal residual disease to detect and potentially treat disease recurrence before it manifests clinically. Additionally, liquid biopsy may have significant implication in the management of brain metastasis, a major challenge in HER2-positive BC, and could redefine parameters for determining HER2 positivity. Combining ctDNA and CTCs is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of HER2-positive tumors, as they provide complementary insights.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Research efforts are needed to address analytical challenges, validate, and broaden the application of liquid biopsy in HER2-positive BC. This effort will ultimately facilitate its integration into clinical practice, optimizing the care of patients with HER2-positive tumors.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"503-513"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141619600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}