Immunomodulation: checkpoint blockade etc.

The immune microenvironment is considered a major obstacle to generating an effective antitumor immune response. Checkpoint inhibitors manipulate the co-stimulatory response between antigen-presenting cells and immune cells-or between the tumor and immune cells-to elicit an antitumor immune response that would have otherwise been suppressed. Checkpoint inhibitors have shown great promise in the clinics, and some inhibitors such as anti-CTLA-4 antibodies and anti-PD-1 antibodies have gained FDA approval for certain tumors. Here we will discuss the current state of checkpoint inhibitors, biomarker strategies, and management of associated toxicities in glioblastoma.