Biomarkers Identified for Predicting Side Effects of Cancer Immunotherapy

Recent research led by scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center has uncovered promising biomarkers that could predict which cancer patients are at higher risk of experiencing adverse side effects from immunotherapy. Published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, the study emphasizes the potential for developing tests that enable tailored treatment plans, improving patient safety and outcomes.

The research involved analyzing blood samples from 162 patients before and after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, a class of drugs that significantly enhance the immune system’s capacity to fight cancer. The team identified three key immune features linked with increased risk of toxicity: elevated levels of antibody-producing cells and autoantibodies, heightened activity of inflammatory molecules such as interferon-gamma, and increased signals from tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Patients displaying these immune profiles were more likely to develop side effects during therapy.

Dr. David Gerber, a leading investigator, explained that a multiomic analysis revealed a pre-existing but silent proinflammatory state in patients prone to immune-related toxicities. The findings suggest that these biomarkers could assist clinicians in early identification of at-risk individuals, potentially guiding more personalized management strategies.

The study underscores the importance of understanding immune mechanisms underlying adverse effects, which remain a major challenge in cancer immunotherapy. While current therapies have revolutionized treatment for various cancers, predicting and managing side effects like organ damage is difficult. These biomarkers could pave the way for better risk assessment, early intervention, and safer therapies.

The research builds upon over a decade of efforts at UT Southwestern’s Simmons Cancer Center, utilizing an extensive registry of biospecimens and clinical data. Although promising, further validation in larger and more diverse populations is necessary to translate these findings into routine clinical tools.

According to Dr. Jeffrey SoRelle, identifying the molecular mechanisms behind these side effects may ultimately help predict which patients are most vulnerable and develop targeted treatments for toxicities, improving the overall safety profile of cancer immunotherapy.