Immune checkpoints, known as regulators of the immune system, are crucial to self-tolerance. The inhibitory checkpoint molecules function as brakes on the T cells, inhibiting immune activation, which contributes to tumor immune escape. James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo individually studied two of the inhibitory checkpoint molecules, CTLA-4 and PD-1, showed their inhibitor antibodies' anti-tumor effect, provided new strategies for cancer therapy, and therefore won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. In this paper, we introduce the laureates and their research experiences, interpret the mechanism of tumor and T-cell immunity, analyze the development status of checkpoint therapy, and finally predict the research direction of immune checkpoint.

2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine  /  cancer immunetherapy  /  CTLA-4  /  PD-1