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Immune Checkpoint Blockade and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

  • Stem Cell Transplantation (R Maziarz, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) relies primarily upon graft-versus-tumor activity for cancer eradication. Relapse remains the principal cause of treatment failure after HSCT, implying frequent immune escape, which in at least some cases, appears to be mediated by increased expression of inhibitory immune checkpoints. In an attempt to restore anti-tumor immunity, checkpoint blockade therapy (CBT) targeting PD-1 and CLTA-4 has been used in conjunction with both allogeneic and autologous HSCT. Clinical experience in this setting is limited to several small clinical trials and case series, but together they suggest that treatment with CBT can effectively amplify anti-tumor immune responses. However, intrinsic to its mechanism is also the risk that CBT in the HSCT setting may also cause significant immune toxicity. Fatal immune-related adverse events and graft-versus-host disease have been observed, but in most cases, immune side effects appear to be reversible with steroids and CBT discontinuation. As clinical investigation continues, improved understanding of immune checkpoint biology will be critical to optimize safe and efficacious treatment strategies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Reid W. Merryman & Philippe Armand

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  1. Reid W. Merryman
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  2. Philippe Armand
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Correspondence to Philippe Armand.

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Reid Merryman declares no potential conflicts of interest.

Philippe Armand is a consultant for BMS, Merck, and Infinity and reports research funding from BMS, Merck, Pfizer, Affimed, and Roche.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Stem Cell Transplantation

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Merryman, R.W., Armand, P. Immune Checkpoint Blockade and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 12, 44–50 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11899-017-0362-5

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