Immunotherapy Outcome Prediction: Scientists Discover Methods for Anticipating Results
In the ever-evolving war against cancer, a new frontier has been discovered - immunotherapy.
Not every cancer or patient can be treated with this innovative approach. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have identified a particular set of mutations within cancer tumors, which they dubbed "persistent mutations," that indicate the tumor's propensity to respond to immunotherapy.
These persistent mutations are more likely to stay constant as the cancer evolves, making the tumor more visible to the immune system, enhancing its response to immunotherapy.
In the past, doctors assessed the Tumor Mutation Burden (TMB) to determine how well a tumor may react to immunotherapy. But, according to Dr. Valsamo Anagnostou, a senior author of the study, this new research suggests that persistent mutations may optimally identify tumors that are more likely to respond to immunotherapy rather than TMB.
The implications of these findings are substantial. By accurately selecting patients for immunotherapy and predicting outcomes with greater accuracy, doctors could provide more effective and personalized treatment for cancer patients.
Immunotherapy is already used to treat various cancers like breast cancer, melanoma, leukemia, and non-small cell lung cancer. It's currently being researched for other forms of cancer, such as prostate, brain, and ovarian cancer.
When cancer cells develop mutations, they can hide from the body's immune system. Immunotherapy works by giving the immune system a boost, enabling it to detect and destroy cancer cells. By pinpointing these persistent mutations, researchers hope to make immunotherapy more effective for more patients.
- Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found that persistent mutations within cancer tumors may optimally identify tumors that are more likely to respond to immunotherapy, rather than using Tumor Mutation Burden (TMB) alone.
- By pinpointing these persistent mutations, scientists hope to make immunotherapy more effective, allowing for a wider range of patients to be treated successfully.
- The advancements in science and medical-conditions field, such as the identification of persistent mutations, are paving the way for personalized health-and-wellness solutions, particularly in the treatment of various cancers like breast cancer, melanoma, leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer, and those under current research, such as prostate, brain, and ovarian cancer.
