Immune Checkpoint Antibodies

An immune checkpoint refers to a protein on immune cells that regulates the immune system’s response to foreign invaders like cancer cells. PD-1 (Programmed cell death protein 1) is one such checkpoint protein that acts as an "off switch" for immune cells, preventing over-activation and avoiding damage to healthy cells. Cancer cells can exploit this mechanism by expressing a complementary protein called PD-L1 (Programmed cell death ligand 1) which binds to PD-1 and inactivates immune cells, allowing the cancer cells to evade the immune system.

Checkpoint inhibitors are drugs designed to target these immune checkpoints and enhance the body's immune response against cancer. PD-1 and PD-L1 are commonly targeted by checkpoint inhibitors as these molecules play a critical role in regulating the immune system’s response to cancer cells. By blocking the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1, checkpoint inhibitors "turn on" the immune system and enhance its ability to fight the cancer.

Checkpoint inhibitors have been shown to be highly effective in treating various types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. These drugs work by reactivating the immune system to target and kill cancer cells, leading to significant improvements in patient outcomes.

The use of checkpoint inhibitors as a cancer treatment has revolutionized the field of oncology and has offered hope to many cancer patients who previously had limited treatment options. However, not all patients respond equally to checkpoint inhibitors, and some may experience side effects such as autoimmune reactions. Researchers are working on identifying new targets and developing better strategies to enhance the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitors while minimizing side effects.