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Table 2 A summary of the cancer types, and features that affects response to ICIs

From: Cancer immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs): potential, mechanisms of resistance, and strategies for reinvigorating T cell responsiveness when resistance is acquired

Cancer type

Features

Microsatellite instability/deficient mismatch repair

Cold vs hot

Clinical trials

Outcomes/response

Approved commercial products

Head and Neck Cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma, usually arises in the mucosal lining

Can occur in a subset of cases

Hot

Various clinical trials ongoing

Response to treatment depends on stage and other factors

Cetuximab, Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab, Durvalumab

Lung Cancer

Non-small cell carcinoma, usually arises in the lung tissue

Can occur in a subset of cases

Hot

Various clinical trials ongoing

Response to treatment depends on stage and other factors

Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab, Atezolizumab, Durvalumab

Melanoma

Malignant tumor of melanocytes, usually arises in the skin

Can occur in a subset of cases

Hot

Various clinical trials ongoing

Response to treatment depends on stage and other factors

Ipilimumab, Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab, Dabrafenib, Trametinib

Renal cell carcinoma

Arises in the cells lining the small tubes in the kidney

Can occur in a subset of cases

Cold

Various clinical trials ongoing

Response to treatment depends on stage and other factors

Nivolumab, Cabozantinib, Pazopanib, Bevacizumab

Pancreatic cancer

Arises in the cells lining the ducts of the pancreas

Usually not associated with MSI/dMMR

Cold

Various clinical trials ongoing

Response to treatment depends on stage and other factors

Abraxane, Gemcitabine, FOLFIRINOX, Onivyde, Erlotinib

Breast cancer

Arises in the breast tissue

Can occur in a subset of cases

Hot

Various clinical trials ongoing

Response to treatment depends on stage and other factors

Tamoxifen, Anastrozole, Fulvestrant, Palbociclib

Prostate cancer

Arises in the prostate gland

Usually not associated with MSI/dMMR

Cold

Various clinical trials ongoing

Response to treatment depends on stage and other factors

Leuprolide, Enzalutamide, Abiraterone, Apalutamide

Glioblastoma

Aggressive tumor of the brain, arises from glial cells

Usually not associated with MSI/dMMR

Cold

Various clinical trials ongoing

Response to treatment depends on stage and other factors

Temozolomide, Bevacizumab, Lomustine, Carmustine