IO Nation: The Rise of Immuno-Oncology

The field of immuno-oncology (IO) is rapidly expanding, generating enormous interest on the part of drug developers and giving new hope to patients and physicians. Attempts to harness the immune system to fight cancer date back to the 19th century; however, it is only in recent years that immunotherapies have entered mainstream oncology and have shown promise across a broad range of tumor types. New therapeutic combinations are emerging, with companies pairing two immunotherapies, an immunotherapy and a molecularly targeted therapy, or an immunotherapy plus traditional chemotherapy in order to more effectively fight cancer. Some immunotherapies are also pairing with companion diagnostics in order to maximize efficacy in patient populations. All of these developments come with their own unique challenges that drug developers will need to confront. This Perspective article reviews developments in the IO field and highlights key challenges in successfully commercializing an IO therapy.