How many can benefit from checkpoint inhibitors?

The response rate to immunotherapy is variable, with general estimates ranging in the 15% to 40% range. Dr. Vinay Prasad, an oncologist at Oregon Health and Science University, has a new study out in JAMA that gauges how many patients get benefit from six different checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy drugs. The consensus? 

Turns out, even 15% seems a bit optimistic. The 2011 response rate was 0.14 percent, he writes — though the figure is improving. In 2018, Prasad said the estimate percentage of responders is 12.46%. He suggests that further research is needed to explore biomarkers that might maximize the benefit of immunotherapy. 

“The observations in this article are sobering and remind us to keep expectations of [checkpoint inhibitors] realistic,” a companion commentary in JAMA says.