DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajb.2025.v13i01.001

Pages: 1-10

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer therapy by harnessing the body’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the mechanisms, advances, and challenges associated with ICIs in cancer treatment. We discuss the role of key immune checkpoint pathways, including PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4, TIGIT, and TIM-3, in regulating immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. Despite the significant success of ICIs in various malignancies such as melanoma, lung cancer, and lymphoma, their clinical efficacy is often limited by factors such as tumor resistance, immune-related adverse events, and variability in patient responses. Furthermore, the complex interplay between immune evasion mechanisms and the host immune system underscores the need for personalized treatment strategies. The combination of ICIs with other therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and cancer vaccines, holds promise in overcoming these limitations and enhancing clinical outcomes. However, challenges remain in optimizing treatment regimens, identifying predictive biomarkers, and addressing toxicity. This review highlights recent advances, ongoing clinical trials, and the future directions of ICI-based cancer immunotherapy, emphasizing the necessity of continued research to improve patient selection and enhance therapeutic efficacy.