Gene-expression profiling to predict responsiveness to immunotherapy

N B Jamieson1,2, A V Maker3

  • 1Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences and the Academic Unit of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland.

Cancer Gene Therapy
|November 12, 2016
PubMed

Recent clinical successes with immunotherapy have resulted in expanding indications for cancer therapy. To enhance antitumor immune responses, and to better choose specific strategies matched to patient and tumor characteristics, genomic-driven precision immunotherapy will be necessary. Herein, we explore the role that tumor gene-expression profiling (GEP) may have in the prediction of an immunotherapeutic response. Genetic markers associated with response to immunotherapy are addressed as they pertain to the tumor genomic landscape, the extent of DNA damage, tumor mutational load and tumor-specific neoantigens. Furthermore, genetic markers associated with resistance to checkpoint blockade and relapse are reviewed. Finally, the utility of GEP to identify new tumor types for immunotherapy and implications for combinatorial strategies are summarized.

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