AUTHOR=Kubo Terufumi , Shinkawa Tomoyo , Kikuchi Yasuhiro , Murata Kenji , Kanaseki Takayuki , Tsukahara Tomohide , Hirohashi Yoshihiko , Torigoe Toshihiko 

TITLE=Fundamental and Essential Knowledge for Pathologists Engaged in the Research and Practice of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Based Cancer Immunotherapy

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.679095

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2021.679095

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=<p>Extensive research over 100 years has demonstrated that tumors can be eliminated by the autologous immune system. Without doubt, immunotherapy is now a standard treatment along with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy; however, the field of cancer immunotherapy is continuing to develop. The current challenges for the use of immunotherapy are to enhance its clinical efficacy, reduce side effects, and develop predictive biomarkers. Given that histopathological analysis provides molecular and morphological information on humans <italic>in vivo</italic>, its importance will continue to grow. This review article outlines the basic knowledge that is essential for the research and daily practice of immune checkpoint inhibitor-based cancer immunotherapy from the perspective of histopathology.</p>