Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of malignancies. Targeting of immune checkpoints cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) has led to improving survival in a subset of patients. Despite their remarkable success, clinical benefit remains limited to only a subset of patients. A significant limitation behind these current treatment modalities is an irregularity in clinical response, which is especially pronounced among checkpoint inhibition. Currently, relevant predictors of cancer immunotherapy response include microsatellite instability-high/deficient mismatch repair (MSI-H/dMMR), expression of PD-L1, tumor mutation burden (TMB), immune genomic characteristics, and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). However, none of them have sufficient evidence to be a stratification factor. Moreover, as the combined strategies for effective cancer immunotherapy had been developed in multiple tumors, such as Immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy. Therefore, the development of novel biomarkers endowed with high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy able to identify which patients may truly benefit from the treatment with cancer immunotherapy would allow to refine the therapeutic selection and to better tailor the treatment strategy.

This Research Topic is the second volume of the “Community Series in Novel Biomarkers for Predicting Response to Cancer Immunotherapy". Please see Volume I here. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of malignancies. Targeting of immune checkpoints cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) has led to improving survival in a subset of patients. Despite their remarkable success, clinical benefit remains limited to only a subset of patients. A significant limitation behind these current treatment modalities is an irregularity in clinical response, which is especially pronounced among checkpoint inhibition. Currently, relevant predictors of cancer immunotherapy response include microsatellite instability-high/deficient mismatch repair (MSI-H/dMMR), expression of PD-L1, tumor mutation burden (TMB), immune genomic characteristics, and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). However, none of them have sufficient evidence to be a stratification factor. Moreover, as the combined strategies for effective cancer immunotherapy had been developed in multiple tumors, such as Immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy. Therefore, the development of novel biomarkers endowed with high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy able to identify which patients may truly benefit from the treatment with cancer immunotherapy would allow to refine the therapeutic selection and to better tailor the treatment strategy. This research topic aims to focus on the advances in the discoveries of novel biomarkers for predicting response to cancer immunotherapy in various tumors. We welcome the submission of original research and review articles that include biomarkers in clinical study and applications, as well as technologies or discoveries in experimental approaches.

This book provides the immune oncology (IO) community with a deeper understanding of the scope of the biomarker methods to potentially improve the outcome from immunotherapy. The editors secured the input from experts in the field dedicated to translating scientific research from bench to bedside was submitted. The book provides not only details about the technical, standardization and interpretation aspects of the methods but also introduces the reader to the background information and scientific justification for selected biomarkers and assays. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) is the most common complication of allogenic bone marrow transplantation. Because of the protracted clinical course of chronic GVHD, transplant centers and hematology/oncology offices are inadequately equipped to manage these immuno-incompetent patients with a multi-system disorder. Practitioners need to be able to recognize and effectively manage chronic GVHD as a late effect of more than half of allogenic transplantations. The text is oriented for the clinician, with chapters covering staging, organ site and system-specific manifestations, treatment options, and supportive care. Drs Georgia B. Vogelsang and Steven Z. Pavletic have been pioneers in the recognition of the multi-organ complexity of this disease and have gathered the input of a variety of subspecialist physicians for this book. This book fills the gap in practical literature on chronic GVHD, providing a comprehensive, up-to-date, and clinically relevant resource for anyone who deals with cancer patients post-transplant.

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer's handbook,SITC’s Guide to Managing Immunotherapy Toxicity, is a practical reference to managing side effects associated with FDA-approved cancer immunotherapy drugs. Separated into two parts, Part I contains chapter-based overviews of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the clinic, starting with anti-CTLA4 agents, anti-PD1/PD-L1 agents, and approved immunotherapeutic combinations. These chapters cover relevant mechanisms of action, indications, and toxicities seen while combating early, advanced, and metastatic stages in cancer patients. Part II is structured by common and uncommon toxicities that affect major organ sites throughout the body. It begins with a general summary of principles and management options followed by chapters focusing on specific toxicities such as rash and mucosal irritation, muscle and joint toxicity, diarrhea and colitis, pneumonitis, endocrine toxicities, neurological toxicities, cardiac toxicity, renal toxicity, hematologic toxicity, and ocular toxicities. Each chapter provides guidance on how to assess and treat the toxicity and how to support the patient through acute and chronic effects with detailed summary tables for quick reference. Part II concludes with chapters covering management of special patient populations, including patients with autoimmune disease and geriatric patients, treatment and management of fatigue, and a final chapter dedicated to cost effectiveness and the toll of financial toxicity on patients and caregivers. With chapters written by world-recognized leaders in the immuno-oncology field, this text provides thorough coverage of the toxicity and management of adverse effects for immune checkpoint inhibitors. It is an indispensable resource for clinical oncologists, emergency physicians, hospitalists and other medical practitioners in both the hospital and community clinic settings, especially as the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors becomes a fixture in oncology care. Key Features: Outlines strategies for treating high-risk patients facing an acute or chronic side effect to immunotherapy Provides numerous tables that condense and highlight pertinent information for quick reference Describes the various clinical presentations and toxic reactions caused by immunotherapy Purchase includes access to the eBook for use on most mobile devices or computer

The HLA FactsBook presents up-to-date and comprehensive information on the HLA genes in a manner that is accessible to both beginner and expert alike. The focus of the book is on the polymorphic HLA genes (HLA-A, B, C, DP, DQ, and DR) that are typed for in clinical HLA laboratories. Each gene has a dedicated section in which individual entries describe the structure, functions, and population distribution of groups of related allotypes. Fourteen introductory chapters provide a beginner's guide to the basic structure, function, and genetics of the HLA genes, as well as to the nomenclature and methods used for HLA typing. This book will be an invaluable reference for researchers studying the human immune response, for clinicians and laboratory personnel involved in clinical and forensic HLA typing, and for human geneticists, population biologists, and evolutionary biologists interested in HLA genes as markers of human diversity. Introductory chapters provide good general overview of HLA field for novice immunologists and geneticists Up-to-date, complete listing of HLA alleles Invaluable reference resource for immunologists, geneticists, and cell biologists Combines both structural and functional information, which has never been compiled in a single reference book previously Serological specificity of allotypes Identity of material sequenced including ethnic origin Database accession numbers Population distribution Peptide binding specificities T cell epitopes Amino acid sequences of allotypes Key references

Recent advances in precision medicine and immuno-oncology have led to highly specific and efficacious cancer therapies such as monoclonal antibodies and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This book provides an up-to-date overview of advances in the field of immuno-oncology. Chapters cover such topics as ICIs and how they mount a robust immune response against cancer cells as well as the response of ICIs to treatment predictive biomarkers and their potential immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Additionally, the book includes a comprehensive review of the powerful FDA-approved therapeutic agent doxorubicin, highlighting the molecular mechanisms behind doxorubicin's drug resistance and critical side effects.