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Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase (IDO) Inhibition as a Strategy to Augment Cancer Immunotherapy

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Abstract

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an enzyme of interest in immuno-oncology because of the immunosuppressive effects that result from its role in tryptophan catabolism. IDO is upregulated in malignancy and is associated with poor prognosis in multiple cancer types. IDO inhibitors have been developed to target IDO, both directly and indirectly. Pre-clinical data have shown combined IDO and checkpoint inhibition to be an efficacious strategy for tumor control. Clinical trials of IDO inhibitors with chemotherapy or immunotherapy are currently underway. This review describes the function of IDO and its inhibitors and summarizes the efficacy and toxicity data from recent clinical trials with these drugs.

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Correspondence to Sarah Yentz.

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No external funding was used in the preparation of this manuscript.

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David C. Smith has received research funding from Incyte and serves as a consultant for Merck. Sarah Yentz has no conflicts of interest that might be relevant to the contents of this manuscript.

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Yentz, S., Smith, D. Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase (IDO) Inhibition as a Strategy to Augment Cancer Immunotherapy. BioDrugs 32, 311–317 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40259-018-0291-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40259-018-0291-4

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