Macroangiopathy is a positive predictive factor for response to immunotherapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Immunotherapies require predictive biomarkers to optimize patient selection and minimize adverse effects.
• Analytic morphomics utilizes body composition imaging biomarkers to predict treatment prognosis and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate body composition measures as predictors of immunotherapy response.
• To evaluate the utility of the novel Total Plaque Index (TPI) and mean psoas density (MPD) in predicting outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 147 patients receiving ipilimumab therapy.
• Quantification of macroangiopathy using the Total Plaque Index (TPI) from CT scans.
• Extraction of mean psoas density (MPD), adipose tissue parameters, and cerebral microangiopathy from imaging data.
• Multivariate Cox regression analysis incorporating TPI, MPD, clinical factors, and tumor markers.

Main Results:

• Total Plaque Index (TPI) and mean psoas density (MPD) positively correlated with progression-free survival (PFS).
• Visceral organ or soft tissue involvement was associated with decreased progression risk.
• Elevated S100B levels showed a trend towards shorter PFS.

Conclusions:

• Macroangiopathy (TPI) and sarcopenia (MPD) are independent predictors of immunotherapy outcomes.
• These morphomic biomarkers hold significance comparable to established clinical biomarkers for predicting treatment response.