Immune modulation via epigenetic targeting to overcome immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance

Immunotherapy has revolutionized anticancer therapy over the last decade, with impressive responses seen in many patients and six immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) now approved by the US FDA for the treatment of solid organ malignancies [1]. The best responses and survival benefits are seen in melanoma patients, with approximately 60% of patients treated with combination immunotherapy (anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD-1 inhibition) still alive at 3 years [2]. However, many patients with advanced solid organ malignancies have suboptimal responses or acquire resistance relatively quickly. There is therefore a real clinical imperative to find ways to optimize immunotherapy and overcome ICI resistance with intense research interest in this area.