PD-1 receptor blocker: Is it revolution in cancer therapy?

PD-1 or the programmed cell death protein 1 plays a major role in eliciting the immune checkpoint response of T cells. They are the inhibitory receptors induced in activated T cells. The application of these receptors earns a great interest to investigate, in-depth, their mechanism of action and therapeutic success. The US FDA has successfully approved three categories of immune checkpoint inhibitors. These are PD-1 inhibitors (Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, and Cemiplimab), PDL-1 inhibitors (Atezolimumab, Durvalumab and, Avelumab), and CTLA-4 inhibitor (Ipilimumab).  But still there lie several limitations in using this mode of treatment. Unlikely, not all patients respond well to these drugs. Apart from these, anti PD-1 monoclonal antibody showed its miraculous activity in treating cancer. It showed a hundred percent cure in patients with colorectal cancer without any kind of major side effects following the treatment procedure. Anti PD-1 monoclonal antibody (Dostarlimab) has shown promising results in endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer, and breast cancer therapy. The current review focuses on the literature regarding the mechanism of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors, their role in cancer treatment.&nbsp