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Oncology

Browse and review clinical resources related to oncology below.

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Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) Overview

Learn more about CRS

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The PD-L1 Pathway

We are continuing to advance the understanding of cancer immunotherapy by researching pathways that can be targeted simultaneously with the PD-L1/PD-1 pathway to address various immune escape mechanisms in cancer.

PD-L1 pathway inhibition has taken an important role in helping to restore a key part of the cancer immunity cycle.1

Immune Escape

Tumor cells can escape the antitumor immune response in several ways

Tumor cells can evade the immune system by disrupting any of the key T-cell activities necessary to initiate and perpetuate an antitumor immune response: T-cell generation, T-cell infiltration, or tumor cell killing.1-3

Disruption of any steps of the cancer immunity cycle can ultimately result in tumor growth.2

*Tumor cell killing by CD8+ T cells.

Targeting PD-L1 simultaneously with other pathways may help restore the cancer immunity cycle

As a key immunosuppressive driver, the PD-L1 pathway is an important target that may help invigorate antitumor T-cell activity in the tumor microenvironment.1,4

PD-L1 inhibition may help restore tumor cell killing.4*

*Tumor cell killing by CD8+ T cells.

  1. In cancer, the PD-L1 ligand is expressed on tumor cells and immune cells. When bound to its receptors, PD-1 and B7.1 on T cells, PD-L1 deactivates cytotoxic T cells.

  2. PD-L1 inhibition may prevent T-cell deactivation.

  3. Reinvigorated T cells can then attack and kill tumor cells.

However, cancers may use multiple immune escape mechanisms. Targeting PD-L1 simultaneously with other pathways may be necessary to restore a fully functional cancer immunity cycle.1

We are actively researching pathway combinations with PD-L1.5

    • Kim JM, Chen DS. Immune escape to PD-L1/PD-1 blockade: seven steps to success (or failure). Ann Oncol. 2016;27(8):1492-1504. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdw217

      Kim JM, Chen DS. Immune escape to PD-L1/PD-1 blockade: seven steps to success (or failure). Ann Oncol. 2016;27(8):1492-1504. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdw217

    • Chen DS, Mellman I. Oncology meets immunology: the cancer-immunity cycle. Immunity. 2013;39(1):1-10. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2013.07.012

      Chen DS, Mellman I. Oncology meets immunology: the cancer-immunity cycle. Immunity. 2013;39(1):1-10. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2013.07.012

    • Chen DS, Mellman I. Elements of cancer immunity and the cancer-immune set point. Nature. 2017;541(7637):321-330. doi:10.1038/nature21349

      Chen DS, Mellman I. Elements of cancer immunity and the cancer-immune set point. Nature. 2017;541(7637):321-330. doi:10.1038/nature21349

    • Chen DS, Irving BA, Hodi FS. Molecular pathways: next-generation immunotherapy-inhibiting programmed death-ligand 1 and programmed death-1. Clin Cancer Res. 2012;18(24):6580-6587. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-12-1362

      Chen DS, Irving BA, Hodi FS. Molecular pathways: next-generation immunotherapy-inhibiting programmed death-ligand 1 and programmed death-1. Clin Cancer Res. 2012;18(24):6580-6587. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-12-1362

    • Roche. 2021 results. Updated February 3, 2022. Accessed February 15, 2022. https://assets.cwp.roche.com/f/126832/x/baa445a513/irp220203-a.pdf

      Roche. 2021 results. Updated February 3, 2022. Accessed February 15, 2022. https://assets.cwp.roche.com/f/126832/x/baa445a513/irp220203-a.pdf