Immune checkpoint B7-H3 is a potential therapeutic target in prostate cancer

High expression of immune checkpoint molecule B7-H3 (CD276) in many cancer types makes it a promising immunotherapeutic target. Both coinhibitory and costimulatory effects of B7-H3 in tumors have been demonstrated, but the mechanism of B7-H3 immune response under dual effects is open to question. B7-H3 is crucially involved in the migration and invasion, angiogenesis, metabolism and chemotherapy resistance of prostate cancer. In addition to the potential immune effects on tumor environment, B7-H3 plays a non-immune-mediated role in tumor progression. In this review, we summarize current understanding of molecular mechanism of B7-H3 in prostate cancer and discuss the potential of B7-H3 as a novel therapeutic target for prostate cancer.