Immunologic and Clinical Effects of Targeting PD‐1 in Lung Cancer

Therapeutic antibodies that block the programmed cell death protein‐1 (PD‐1) immune checkpoint pathway prevent T‐cell downregulation and promote immune responses against cancer. Several PD‐1 pathway inhibitors have shown robust activity in initial trials. This article reviews the preclinical evidence, rationale, and clinical pharmacology of blockade of PD‐1 or its ligands as therapy for lung cancer and provides an overview of agents in development, clinical evidence to date, and implications for clinical application. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2014); 96 2, 214–223. doi: 10.1038/clpt.2014.74