Imaging the multiple facets of immuno-oncology

Excerpt

The emerging field of “immuno-oncology” has revolutionized cancer therapy, with several antibodies demonstrating survival improvements in a variety of cancers [1‐3]. The most studied antibodies [1, 2] target PD-1, a receptor found on immune cells that bind to a tumor-associated antigen, PD-L1. Antibodies that target PD-L1 have also been successfully employed [3]. Central to the efficacy of agents that target various immune checkpoints has been abrogation of immune cell populations that collectively prevent tumor regression and/or containment [4]. This protection is putatively abrogated by the antibody, enabling cytotoxic immune cells to attack the tumor. These therapies are expensive, can cause significant morbidity, and are not always effective [1‐4]. There thus remains a need, largely unmet, to better identify patients who are likely to respond to such therapy. …