May 2015, Vol. 2, No. 3

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Exploring Advances in Immunotherapy

Sanjiv S. Agarwala, MD

Letter to Our Readers

Dear Colleague,

In this issue of Immunotherapy in Oncology (ITO), we continue to explore the many facets of immunotherapy, reaching beyond the basic science to bring you the practical implications of its usefulness. We are pleased to report that the FDA recently approved nivolumab injection, for intravenous use, for the treatment of patients with metastatic squamous non–small cell lung cancer with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. This is good news, as nivolumab, a PD-1 (programmed death-1 receptor) therapy, demonstrated improved overall survival in this population. In light of this advance, we present additional articles exploring the need for immunotherapy options in lung cancer, specifically “The Need for Immunotherapeutic Approaches for Lung Cancer” and “Immuno-Oncology Combination Approaches for Lung Cancer”. We will continue to explore this topic in future issues of ITO.

Also of interest is the business side of immunotherapy. In our Interview with the Innovators feature, titled “The Commercialization Process of Immunotherapies: An Interview with Olivier Lesueur and Rachel Laing, PhD,” we had the pleasure of talking with two experts from a consulting firm that specializes in bringing products to market. They compare the impact of immunotherapies in the current day to what chemotherapy agents were to cancer care in the 1970s. This comparison isn’t lost on pharmaceutical companies, who are focused on commercializing immunotherapy agents as quickly as possible.

Also in this issue, we present articles from meetings around the country monitoring the progress of immunotherapies. From FDA approvals to biomarkers, you’ll find an array of the most recent, groundbreaking events from the immunology field. We are greatly encouraged by the advances in cancer treatment that immunotherapy affords us, and it is our sincere hope this information assists you in providing the best care for your patients. We are pleased to be your source for information, and as always, we thank you for being part of our reading community.

Sincerely,

Sanjiv S. Agarwala, MD
Editor in Chief
Immunotherapy in Oncology

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