Predicting Immunotherapy Responses: Researchers Discover Methods for Anticipating Results
In the battle against cancer, the latest weapon is immunotherapy. This innovative treatment leverages the body's immune system to fight off malignant cells. However, not all cancers and individuals are suitable for immunotherapy treatment. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have made a significant breakthrough in identifying a group of tumor mutations—dubbed "persistent mutations"—that suggest a cancer's receptivity to immunotherapy.
By researching tumor mutational profiles, doctors have relied on the total number of mutations (TMB) to predict a tumor's response to immunotherapy. The idea behind TMB is that a higher number of mutations could render the cancer cells more foreign to the immune system, subsequently making it easier for the immune system to attack the tumor.
Nonetheless, to achieve better and more accurate results, the scientists paid closer attention to a specific subset of these mutations— persistent mutations. These persistent mutations are less likely to dissipate as cancer evolves, maintaining their visibility to the immune system. This visibilty allows the immune system to mount a stronger response when combined with immunotherapy, such as immune checkpoint blockade, leading to sustained tumor control and a subsequent increase in patient survival rates.
The researchers believe their findings will aid clinicians in better choosing candidates for immunotherapy among cancer patients and, ultimately, lead to improved outcomes for patients undergoing immunotherapy treatment. Their study was recently published in the journal Nature Medicine.
- The scientists' focus on persistent mutations in tumor mutational profiles could potentially help doctors make more informed decisions about immunotherapy for medical-conditions like cancer.
- By identifying persistent mutations that are less likely to dissipate as cancer evolves, the recent Johns Hopkins University study aims to allow the immune system to mount a stronger response to cancer treatment, especially in conjunction with immunotherapy like immune checkpoint blockade.
- In the broader context of health-and-wellness and science, the discovery of persistent mutations could significantly impact the system's approach to cancer treatment, particularly immunotherapy, resulting in improved patient outcomes.
