Dramatic clinical responses have been seen using genetically engineered, re-directed T cells in hematological cancers or checkpoint inhibitors that unleash the power of the immune system against highly mutated tumors. These responses have led to great excitement and anticipation of how immunotherapies could be used to improve the lives of more people with different tumor types.
Pressing questions in the field include how can immunotherapy be used most effectively with conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy to achieve better response rates and overall outcomes?
How can we predict which patients respond best to which therapies so that we can maximize response rates and increase the probability of improved clinical outcome?