Prostate cancer immunotherapy: the path forward

Purpose of review To provide an overview of current strategies being investigated in the development of immunotherapy in prostate cancer. Recent findings Development of immunotherapy in prostate cancer actually began in 2010 with FDA approval of sipuleucel-T. Given that immune checkpoint inhibitor trials have either been negative at the phase III level or underwhelming in smaller studies, it is likely that combination strategies will be required to further maximize the impact immune-based therapies on the clinical course of the disease. Emerging data suggests the presence of multiple checkpoint inhibitors in the prostate cancer tumor microenvironment highlighting the need for combination immunotherapy platforms that would potentially include androgen deprivation, chemotherapy, or radiation. Summary Preclinical and clinical data support immune-based combinations in prostate cancer and several trials are underway to better define the future of immunotherapy in prostate cancer.