Stimulatory Immune Checkpoint Molecules

As opposed to inhibitory pathways that attenuate the immune system, co-stimulatory molecules augment immunological responses against malignant cells. Malignant cells often inhibit co-stimulatory pathways to promote tumor genesis. As stimulatory checkpoint molecules, such as OX40, GITR, ICOS, 4-1BB and CD40, play key roles in regulating the effector functions of T cells, activating co-stimulatory pathways may improve checkpoint inhibition efficacy, and lead to durable antitumor responses.