ABSTRACT
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are a standard in cancer therapy, but few patients respond to the treatment. The aim of the present study was the determination of immunological markers for monitoring response to ICI. The present study included 74 patients receiving ICI in subsequent [group 1; non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)] and first-line setting (group 2; melanoma) and 30 patients with NSCLC receiving first-line chemotherapy. In groups 1 and 2 ß-2 microglobulin (B2-MG), neopterin (NPT), IL-6, IL-18, HLA-DRB1 and autoantibodies were assessed after two months of ICI, and before the start of next administration in group 3. In group 1 low level of B2-MG (P<0.0001), NPT (P<0.0001), IL-6 (P<0.0001), IL-18 (P=0.0003), HLA-DRB1*03 (P=0.016) and anti-TPO antibodies (P=0.016) were associated with response >six months. In group 2 high level of B2-MG (P=0.0001), NPT (P=0.0016), IL-6 (P=0.013) and IL-18 (P=0.032) were associated with early disease progression (
