Biomarkers associated with checkpoint inhibitors

Numerous biomarkers may reflect the pharmacodynamics of checkpoint inhibitors and predict their efficacy and/or their toxicity in patients. However, the interest of these biomarkers in clinical practice remains ill-defined and will have to be clarified in future studies. Such biomarkers should help to finely define patients who will benefit most from these costly and potentially toxic drugs.Checkpoint inhibitors (CPI), namely anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1/PD-L1 antibodies, demonstrated efficacy across multiple types of cancer. However, only subgroups of patients respond to these therapies. Additionally, CPI can induce severe immune-related adverse events (irAE). Biomarkers that predict efficacy and toxicity may help define the patients who may benefit the most from these costly and potentially toxic therapies. In this study, we review the main biomarkers that have been associated with the efficacy (pharmacodynamics and clinical benefit) and the toxicity (irAE) of CPIs in patients.