Rationale for combination of therapeutic antibodies targeting tumor cells and immune checkpoint receptors: Harnessing innate and adaptive immunity through IgG1 isotype immune effector stimulation

•Cetuximab has immune activity, eg, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.•(Pre)clinical evidence supports the clinical relevance of innate/adaptive immunity.•Tumor targeted mAbs such as cetuximab induce innate + adaptive immunity.•This mechanism can be leveraged by combining cetuximab + immunotherapy.•Checkpoint inhibitors may elicit synergistic immune response with IgG1-isotype mAbs.