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Author Spotlight: Unlocking Insights into the Immune Cell Landscape of Tumors
Published on: August 18, 2023
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Progresses in biomarkers for cancer immunotherapy
Xuwen Lin1,2, Chenyu Zong1,3, Zhihan Zhang1
1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Peking University Shenzhen Hospital Shenzhen Guangdong Province China.
Medcomm
|October 6, 2023
Summary
Predictive biomarkers are crucial for optimizing cancer immunotherapy. This review covers current biomarkers like PD-L1, MSI, and TMB, and emerging strategies for better treatment selection and reduced toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Cancer immunotherapy, particularly checkpoint inhibitors, is a leading treatment but lacks consistent durable responses.
- Combination regimens increase immune-related adverse events, necessitating predictive biomarkers for personalized treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current landscape of predictive biomarkers for cancer immunotherapy.
- To discuss established biomarkers (PD-L1, MSI, TMB) and novel strategies.
- To explore systemic and non-invasive immunity markers for predicting treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current data on predictive biomarkers in cancer immunotherapy.
- Analysis of established biomarkers: tumor programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), microsatellite instability (MSI), and tumor mutational burden (TMB).
- Exploration of novel biomarker strategies including oncogenic signaling, epigenetic regulation, and systemic immunity markers.
Main Results:
- Established biomarkers (PD-L1, MSI, TMB) show variability and heterogeneity, limiting their predictive power.
- Emerging strategies involve oncogenic signaling, epigenetic regulation, and systemic immunity markers.
- Peripheral and intestinal immunity markers offer non-invasive predictive potential.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant unmet need for validated predictive biomarkers in cancer immunotherapy.
- A comprehensive approach integrating various biomarkers, including systemic and gut microbiota, is warranted.
- Further research into novel biomarkers is essential for optimizing immunotherapy efficacy and safety.
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