LAG-3 Inhibitors: Novel Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Changing the Landscape of Immunotherapy

Rebecca Ibrahim; Khalil Saleh; Claude Chahine; Rita Khoury; Nadine Khalife; Axel Le Cesne

doi:10.3390/biomedicines11071878

journal article Open Access Jul 01, 2023

LAG-3 Inhibitors: Novel Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Changing the Landscape of Immunotherapy

Rebecca Ibrahim Khalil Saleh

Claude Chahine Rita Khoury

Nadine Khalife Axel Le Cesne

Biomedicines Vol. 11 No. 7 pp. 1878 · MDPI AG

View at Publisher Save 10.3390/biomedicines11071878

Abstract

One of the most important steps forward in the management of cancer was the discovery of immunotherapy. It has become an essential pillar in the treatment paradigm of cancer patients. Unfortunately, despite the various options presented with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the benefit is still limited to select patients and the vast majority of these patients gain either minimal benefit or eventually progress, leaving an unmet need for the development of novel therapeutic agents and strategies. Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3), an immune checkpoint receptor protein, is a molecule found on the surface of activated T-cells. It plays a major role in negatively regulating T-cell function thereby providing tumors with an immune escape in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Given its importance in regulating the immune system, LAG-3 has been considered as a promising target in oncology and precision medicine. To date, two LAG-3-directed agents (eftilagimod alpha and relatlimab) have been approved in combination with programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors in the setting of advanced solid tumors. In this review, we discuss the structure of LAG-3, its mechanism of action, and its interaction with its ligands. We also shed light on the emerging treatments targeting LAG-3 for the treatment of solid tumors.

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Published: Jul 01, 2023
Vol/Issue: 11(7)
Pages: 1878
License: View

Authors

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Rebecca Ibrahim