[Challenges in Immuno-Oncology - Possibilities for Optimization].

Immuno-oncology has undoubtedly started a new era in the treatment of malignant diseases. Within a short time immunotherapeutic therapy concepts have become part of the standard therapy for many tumors. Already, immunotherapy is one of the most potent therapeutic options for the treatment of many malignancies. Despite its impressive achievements, there is still a significant need for improvement and many aspects of the practical application of immunotherapeutic modalities of therapy are unclear. If it succeeds in solving the challenges discussed here, immuno-oncology will certainly be one of the most important pillars of successful tumor therapy in the future. Immunotherapeutic combination therapies offer the opportunity to improve treatment outcomes. The immunological side effects of immunotherapy may sometimes be life-threatening, but if adequately treated they may be associated with a good prognosis. The development of predictive biomarkers is indispensable for effective immunotherapy. The costs of immuno-oncological therapies are sometimes very high. Therefore reasonable solutions must be found. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.