
Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Publication Date
10-31-2023
Journal
Cells
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is a mainstay of treatment for advanced cancer, yet tumor response and host toxicity are heterogenous in those patients who receive ICB. There is growing interest in understanding how host factors interact with tumor intrinsic properties and the tumor microenvironment to influence the therapeutic index with ICB. Obesity, defined by body mass index, is a host factor associated with improved outcomes in select cancers when treated with ICB. While the biological mechanism for this obesity paradox is not fully understood, pre-clinical and translational studies suggest obesity may potentially impact tumor metabolism, inflammation, and angiogenesis. Herein, we summarize clinical studies that support an obesity paradox with ICB, explore potential biological mechanisms that may account for the obesity paradox, and address methodological challenges to consider when studying obesity and treatment outcomes.
Keywords
Humans, Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, Neoplasms, Obesity, Inflammation, Tumor Microenvironment, body composition, immunotherapy, melanoma, obesity, renal cell carcinoma.
DOI
10.3390/cells12212551
PMID
37947629
PMCID
PMC10649394
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
10-31-2023
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Included in
Bioinformatics Commons, Biomedical Informatics Commons, Genetic Phenomena Commons, Medical Genetics Commons, Oncology Commons