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DNA Damage and Repair Biomarkers of Immunotherapy Response

Kent W Mouw1,2,3, Michael S Goldberg2,4, Panagiotis A Konstantinopoulos2,5,6

  • 1Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham & Women's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.

Cancer Discovery
|June 21, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Tumor DNA repair deficiencies can enhance responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Understanding DNA damage and genomic instability is key to developing predictive biomarkers for cancer immunotherapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • DNA-damaging agents are utilized in cancer treatment, targeting tumor DNA repair deficiencies.
  • Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is a growing therapeutic strategy in oncology.
  • The interplay between tumor DNA damage and the immune system is increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize mechanisms linking DNA damage and genomic instability to antitumor immune responses.
  • To describe clinical applications of DNA repair biomarkers for guiding immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on DNA damage, repair, and immune response.
  • Analysis of clinical studies investigating DNA repair biomarkers and ICB efficacy.

Main Results:

  • Tumor DNA repair landscape influences response to immune checkpoint blockade.
  • Genomic instability and DNA repair deficiencies are associated with improved outcomes in ICB.
  • DNA repair biomarkers show promise for predicting immunotherapy response.

Conclusions:

  • Deficiencies in DNA repair can potentiate antitumor immunity and ICB efficacy.
  • Genomic instability is a significant factor in shaping the tumor immune microenvironment.
  • Biomarkers of DNA repair are crucial for personalizing cancer immunotherapy decisions.

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