Researchers have discovered a way to predict the response of kidney cancer to immunotherapy

The treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) usually includes immunotherapy
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However, it is not always effective, and there is no way to predict whether it will be effective for patients

Their findings are published in the journal "Cancer Cell", entitled "clear cell renal cell carcinoma anti-pd -1 response and resistance determinants"
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The researchers analyzed 115 tumor samples from 15 patients with metastatic ccRCC who received the immunotherapy drug nivolumab through the ADAPTeR clinical trial
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The researchers wrote: "ADAPTeR is a prospective phase II study, nivolumab (anti-pd-1) was administered to 15 untreated patients with metastatic ccRCC (115 multi-regional tumor samples) to understand supportive treatment The mechanism of response
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” Genomic analysis showed that there was no correlation between tumor molecular characteristics and response, while the expression of ccrc-specific human endogenous retrovirus was indirectly related to clinical response

"It is very important to analyze multiple samples from each patient, including samples from different parts of the kidney tumor, as well as tumor samples that have spread to other organs
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As we all know, the distribution of molecular information in kidney cancer seems to be embedded in the tumor—— Such a sample may not capture all the information needed for a comprehensive analysis,” explains Lewis Meng, co-author of FRACP, an oncologist, and cancer researcher in Kinetics Laboratory Crick

Researchers took tumor samples at different stages of cancer treatment
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Researchers observed different tumor characteristics and immune response measures to see if there is a corresponding immunotherapy

They found that the increase in the number of specific "cloned" T cell receptors, a protein on the surface of T cells in tumors before treatment, is related to a greater chance of positive immunotherapy
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If these T cell receptors are maintained during treatment, this is the strongest indicator of therapeutic effectiveness

Lewis added: “In patients who respond to this immunotherapy, a group of T cells seems to have recognized the tumor through these specific receptors
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These cells with potential tumor-killing activity are located on the tumor, but they need The drug activates it

"Our research also shows that in-depth research on cancer biology in clinical trials can play an incredible role
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Emine Hatipoglu, a co-author of the study, a registered oncology specialist, and a clinical researcher at the Cancer Research UK Centre, University College London Cancer Institute, added: “This study helps us understand why this type of immunotherapy is sometimes effective and sometimes ineffective
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There is a specific T-cell response can increase the chances of effective treatment