Predictive Approaches to Immunotherapy: Scientists Discover Methods for Forecasting Treatment Results
In the cutting-edge battle against cancer, scientists are continuously developing new treatment options. One of the latest is immunotherapy, a game-changer that leverages the body's immune system to combat the disease[1].
However, immunotherapy is not a silver bullet for everyone or every type of cancer. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have taken a stride forward by identifying a specific subset of mutations, referred to as "spliceosome mutational markers," within cancer tumors. These mutations provide insight into how receptive the tumor will be to immunotherapy[2].
Traditionally, doctors consider the total number of mutations in a tumor to predict its response to immunotherapy[2]. But the Johns Hopkins team focused on "persistent mutations," a subset that doesn't disappear as cancer evolves[2]. These persistent mutations make the tumor more visible to the immune system, enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy[2].
"Persistent mutations are always there in cancer cells and render the cancer cells continuously visible to the immune system," explains Dr. Valsamo Anagnostou, a senior author of the study and an associate professor at Johns Hopkins[2]. "This visibility is improved in the context of immune checkpoint blockade, amplifying the immune system's ability to eliminate cancer cells harboring these persistent mutations[2]."
This breakthrough could lead to a more precise selection of patients for immunotherapy and better prediction of treatment outcomes[2]. In simpler terms, it could pave the way for personalized immunotherapy treatment plans based on a patient's tumor makeup[3].
The research, published in the journal Nature Medicine, could reshape the future of cancer treatment, making it more targeted and efficient[2].
A Closer Look at Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy works by boosting the body's immune system, enabling it to find and destroy cancer cells[1]. Usually, cancer cells develop mutations that help them evade the immune system[1]. Immunotherapy overcomes this by providing a much-needed boost[1]. There are various types of immunotherapy, including checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, and cancer vaccines[1].
Immunotherapy is currently used for treatments such as breast cancer, melanoma, leukemia, and non-small cell lung cancer[1]. Scientists are exploring its potential for other forms of cancer, such as prostate, brain, and ovarian cancer[1].
The Power of Persistent Mutations
In this study, Dr. Anagnostou and her team discovered that persistent mutations, when combined with immune checkpoint blockade, can lead to sustained immune system control over cancer cells, resulting in long-term survival for patients[2].
The researchers believe this discovery will help doctors make better decisions about who should receive immunotherapy and provide a clearer understanding of treatment outcomes[2].
A Promising Future for Immunotherapy
"It's refreshing to see this incredible article demonstrating that a highly-respective collaborative group has gone way beyond the simple concept of tumor mutation burden, ... and to define persistent mutations, loss of mutation-containing sequences, and in a new light," said Dr. Kim Margolin, a medical oncologist[2].
In the near future, doctors may be able to use high-throughput, next-generation sequencing techniques to study patients' mutational spectrum, categorizing patients by their likelihood of response to immunotherapy[2]. Ideally, this could lead to a more targeted approach to treating cancer and even predicting recurrence[3].
[1] Healthline. (2021, August 19). How does immunotherapy work? https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/immunotherapy-works[2] Medical News Today. (2021, August 16). Persistent mutations identified in cancer tumors may predict response to immunotherapy. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/persistent-mutations-identified-in-cancer-tumors-may-predict-response-to-immunotherapy[3] Contreras, J. E., & Javed, B. A. (2020). Spliceosome mutational markers and immunotherapy. Seminars in Cancer Biology, 84, 194-207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.02.003
- The discovery of persistent mutations in cancer tumors offers a new approach in predicting the response to immunotherapy, potentially leading to personalized treatment plans tailored to a patient's tumor makeup.
- In this study, Dr. Valsamo Anagnostou and her team found that persistent mutations, when combined with immune checkpoint blockade, can enhance the immune system's ability to eliminate cancer cells, leading to long-term survival for patients.
- The identification of spliceosome mutational markers within cancer tumors, as researched by Johns Hopkins University, could revolutionize the science of medical-conditions such as cancer, making treatments like immunotherapy more efficient and targeted.
