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Challenges in assessing solid tumor responses to immunotherapy

Cancer Gene Therapy volume 27, pages 528–538 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

With the advent of immunotherapy as an integral component of multidisciplinary solid tumor treatment, we are confronted by an unfamiliar and novel pattern of radiographic responses to treatment. Enlargement of tumors or even new lesions may not represent progression, but rather reflect what will ultimately evolve into a clinically beneficial response. In addition, the kinetics of radiographic changes in response to immunotherapy treatments may be distinct from what has been observed with cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiation. The phenomenon of pseudoprogression has been documented in patients receiving immunotherapeutic agents, such as checkpoint inhibitors and cellular therapies. Currently, there are no clinical response guidelines that adequately account for pseudoprogression and solid tumor responses to immunotherapy in general. Even so, response criteria have evolved to account for the radiographic manifestations of novel therapies. The evolution of World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), along with the emergence of immune-related response criteria (irRC) and the immune Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (iRECIST) reflect the need for new frameworks. This review evaluates the relationship between pseudoprogression, clinical outcomes, and our current understanding of the biology of pseudoprogression. To achieve our goal, we discuss unusual response patterns in patients receiving immunotherapy. We seek to develop a deeper understanding of radiographic responses to immunotherapy such that clinical benefit is not underappreciated in individual patients and during clinical investigation.

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Fig. 1: iRECIST response criteria accounts for the possibility of pseudoprogression after treatment with immunotherapeutic agents by requiring confirmation of progressive disease seen on initial response imaging.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA

    Louis F. Chai & Steven C. Katz

  2. Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Louis F. Chai & Steven C. Katz

  3. Department of Radiology, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA

    Ethan Prince

  4. Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Venu G. Pillarisetty

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Chai, L.F., Prince, E., Pillarisetty, V.G. et al. Challenges in assessing solid tumor responses to immunotherapy. Cancer Gene Ther 27, 528–538 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41417-019-0155-1

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