Breakthrough in Cancer Research: Identifying Predictive Biomarkers for Severe Immune-Related Adverse Events

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have made a significant discovery in cancer treatment, identifying predictive biomarkers for severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that can occur when patients receive immunotherapy. The study, published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, used a novel method for long-amplicon next-generation sequencing to analyze T-cell receptor beta (TCRB) variable (TRBV) gene polymorphisms in patients treated with immunotherapy for cancer. The research found that one-third of the cohort possessed a TRBV allele haplotype that appeared to be protective against severe irAEs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers used a novel method for long-amplicon next-generation sequencing to analyze TCRB variable (TRBV) gene polymorphisms in patients treated with immunotherapy for cancer.
  • The study identified six major TRBV haplotypes, with one-third of the cohort possessing a TRBV allele haplotype that appeared to be protective against severe irAEs.
  • The research suggests that germline-encoded TRBV polymorphisms may serve as a predictive biomarker of severe irAEs.
  • The study included 81 patients who had irAEs when treated with immunotherapy for cancer.
  • The research was funded by Thermo Fisher Scientific and the National Cancer Institute At National Institutes of Health.

Statistics:

  • 81 patients were included in the study, all of whom had experienced irAEs when treated with immunotherapy for cancer.
  • One-third of the cohort (27 patients) possessed a TRBV allele haplotype that appeared to be protective against severe irAEs.
  • The study identified six major TRBV haplotypes.
  • The research suggests that the identified TRBV haplotype may have a predictive value for distinguishing between patients who are likely to experience severe irAEs and those who are not.

Sources:

  • T-cell receptor beta variable gene polymorphism predicts immune-related adverse events during checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, 2023,11(8). (Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer - http://www.immunotherapyofcancer.org/).
  • NewsRx. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Researchers Describe Advances in Cancer (T-cell receptor beta variable gene polymorphism predicts immune-related adverse events during checkpoint blockade immunotherapy). Immunotherapy Weekly. September 6, 2023; p 5888.