Immune Checkpoint

The immune checkpoint refers to a range of immunoregulatory pathways that enhance or moderate immune responses. Crucial in the checkpoint process are co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory molecules, proteins that show remarkable promise as therapeutic targets for cancer. Some examples include members of the B7, CD28, TIM, CD226 families, and others such as Galectin-9, LAG3, and CD155/PVR.

Cancer cells recruit immunosuppressive cells, and create a microenvironment that inhibits anti-tumor responses and enables tumor growth. Antibody-mediated blockade of immune checkpoint molecules, such as CTLA-4, PD-1/PD-L1, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), offer promising new therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment. Identification of novel targets, along with the elucidation of downstream cellular responses, is crucial for the development of new therapeutic strategies. In addition, understanding glycosylation patterns of therapeutic antibodies and how the activities of antibody-binding Fc Receptors affect antibody-mediated responses are important for researchers studying checkpoint therapeutics.

R&D Systems offers a wide range of reagents and kits designed to study the immune checkpoint, including blocking antibodies, proteins, assays, and more. Our experienced custom service team can also save you time by developing reagents to meet your specifications.