Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Utilizing Functional Genomics Screening to Identify Potentially Novel Drug Targets in Cancer Cell Spheroid Cultures
Published on: December 26, 2016
Functional Genome Profiling to Understand Cancer Immune Responsiveness
Ena Wang1, Davide Bedognetti2, Francesco M Marincola3
1Allogene Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA. ewang911@gmail.com.
Abstract:
It has been almost two decades since we first proposed the use of minimally invasive serial biopsies to dissect the biology underlining cancer immune responsiveness (CIR) by looking for predictors of response, understanding mechanisms of action (MOA) of therapeutics and documenting strategies adopted by tumor cells to escape immune recognition. This approach led to the first description in 2002 of predictors of CIR, the characterization of the pharmacodynamics of several immune therapeutics, and the geneses of immune escape under immunological pressure prompted by successful treatment. The presumption was straightforward; study CIR where it occurs: the target organ. Since then, a large number of studies corroborated these early observations adding sophistication and accuracy to the investigations. Here, we summarize the history of functional genomic profiling as a discovery and validation tool for immune oncology (IO) and new insights that could be derived by single novel technologies.
Insights
Minimally invasive serial biopsies reveal cancer immune responsiveness (CIR) predictors and therapeutic mechanisms. This approach, studying CIR in situ, has advanced immune oncology (IO) research over two decades.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Genomics
Background:
- Minimally invasive serial biopsies were proposed nearly two decades ago to study cancer immune responsiveness (CIR).
- Early work identified CIR predictors, characterized therapeutic pharmacodynamics, and elucidated immune escape mechanisms.
- Subsequent research has validated and refined these initial findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the historical application of functional genomic profiling in immune oncology (IO).
- To highlight the role of serial biopsies in understanding CIR, therapeutic MOA, and immune escape.
- To present new insights from emerging single-cell technologies.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing minimally invasive serial biopsies to analyze CIR directly within the tumor microenvironment.
- Employing functional genomic profiling to identify response predictors and mechanisms of action.
- Integrating data from multiple biopsies over time to track dynamic biological changes.
Main Results:
- Established early predictors of CIR in 2002.
- Characterized the pharmacodynamics of various immune therapeutics.
- Documented tumor cell strategies for immune escape under treatment pressure.
Conclusions:
- Minimally invasive serial biopsies are a powerful tool for dissecting cancer immunology.
- Functional genomic profiling has been crucial for discovery and validation in IO.
- Novel technologies promise further advancements in understanding and treating cancer immunity.
More Related Videos
07:29Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
07:46Microfluidic Co-Culture Models for Dissecting the Immune Response in in vitro Tumor Microenvironments
Published on: April 30, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:36Humoral Immune Responses
07:48Utilizing Functional Genomics Screening to Identify Potentially Novel Drug Targets in Cancer Cell Spheroid Cultures
07:29Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
07:46Microfluidic Co-Culture Models for Dissecting the Immune Response in in vitro Tumor Microenvironments
02:02Genomics
07:11Multicolor Flow Cytometry Analyses of Cellular Immune Response in Rhesus Macaques