Breast cancer is characterized by a high incidence rate and its treatment challenges, particularly in certain subtypes. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
Immunotherapy utilizing
immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is currently gaining momentum for the treatment of
breast cancer. Substantial progress has been made in clinical studies employing cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors for
breast cancer, but the cure rates are relatively low. To improve the efficacy of CTLA-4-based
therapy for
breast cancer, further research is imperative to explore more effective immune-based treatment strategies. In addition to monotherapy,
CTLA-4 inhibitors are also being investigated in combination with other ICIs or alternative medications. However, it should be noted that immune-based treatments may cause adverse events. This review focuses on the mechanisms of
CTLA-4 inhibitor monotherapy or combination
therapy in
breast cancer. We systematically summarize the latest research and clinical advances in CTLA-4-based
immunotherapy for
breast cancer, providing new perspectives on the treatment of
breast cancer. In addition, this review highlights the immune-related adverse events (irAEs) associated with
CTLA-4 inhibitors, providing insights into the development of appropriate clinical
tumor immunotherapy regimens and intervention strategies.