Title:Coinhibitory Molecule PD-1 as a Therapeutic Target in the Microenvironment of Multiple Myeloma
Volume: 17
Issue: 9
Author(s): Djordje Atanackovic, Tim Luetkens, Sabari Radhakrishnan and Nicolaus Kroger*
Affiliation:
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantatio, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrabe 52, 20246 Hamburg,Germany
Keywords:
Coinhibitory molecule PD-1, microenvironment, multiple myeloma, T-cell-mediated apoptosis, PD-L1, immunosuppressive.
Abstract: Background: Patients with Multiple Myeloma suffer from dysregulation of the immune
system and new therapeutic options targeting the immune systems such as monoclonal antibodies or
specific Cell therapy such as CAR-T cells have entered clinical practice, but the exhausted immune
system hampered a more effective immunotherapy. Targeting the immunological dysfunction in the
microenviroment might be a potential target for immune-mediated therapies.
Method: Here we review the current literature and knowledge about the programmed death 1 (PD-1)
receptor which is expressed on the surface of exhausted T and B cells and its ligand PD-L1 is expressed
on myeloma cells and inhibits T cell-mediated apoptosis.
Results: The programmed death 1 (PD-1) receptor is expressed on the surface of exhausted T and B
cells and its ligand PD-L1 is expressed on myeloma cells and inhibits Tcell-mediated apoptosis. Inhibiting
such “checkpoint” by monoclonal antibodies recently has been shown high activity in solid
tumors and malignant lymphomas. In patients with multiple myelomaPD-L1 is overexpressed on
myeloma cells and PD1 on T-cells suggesting an active role of PD-1/PD-L1 in the immunosuppressive
microenvironment.
Conclusion: Immunotherapies using anti-PD-1/PD-L1 strategies are a promising treatment options
for patients with multiple myeloma.
