Blockade of novel immune checkpoints and new therapeutic combinations to boost antitumor immunity

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for boosting antitumoral immunity. Blockade of immune checkpoints (ICs), which regulate the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells has proven clinical benefits. Antibodies targeting CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 are IC-blockade drugs approved for the treatment of various solid and hematological malignancies. However, a large subset of patients does not respond to current anti-IC immunotherapy. An integrative understanding of tumor-immune infiltrate, and IC expression and function in immune cell populations is fundamental to the design of effective therapies. The simultaneous blockade of newly identified ICs, as well as of previously described ICs, could improve antitumor response. We review the potential for novel combinatory blockade strategies as antitumoral therapy, and their effects on immune cells expressing the targeted ICs. Preclinical evidence and clinical trials involving the blockade of the various ICs are reported. We finally discuss the rationale of IC co-blockade strategy with respect to its downstream signaling in order to improve effective antitumoral immunity and prevent an increased risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02264-x.