Immune checkpoints are regulators of immune activation by regulating the antigen recognition of T cell receptor (TCR) in the process of immune response. They play a key role in maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmunity. In cancer, immune checkpoint mechanisms are often activated to suppress the nascent anti-tumor immune response. This has led to the development of several checkpoint inhibitor antibody drugs that are currently being tested in clinical trials or have been approved for a number of cancers.