Small-molecule inhibitors and modulators of immune checkpoint receptors
Modulation or/and inhibition of the immune checkpoints receptors have become the subject of growing interest for new therapies in immuno-oncology. Immune check point receptors expressed by immune cells can have either inhibitory or stimulatory functions.
Two strategies for immunotherapy have been investigated:
- Inhibition of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) to restore T cell activity,
- Activation of stimulatory checkpoints to stimulate T cell activity.
Assessing the effect of drug candidates, such as small molecules or biologics, on the immune checkpoint interactions is now a major challenge for research and drug discovery.
