Mia's Feed
Medical News & Research

Breakthrough in Cancer Precision Therapy: Identifying Patients Who Benefit from Bexmarilimab

Breakthrough in Cancer Precision Therapy: Identifying Patients Who Benefit from Bexmarilimab

Share this article

A new study unveils how bexmarilimab activates the immune system against cancer and introduces a gene signature for selective patient treatment, advancing personalized immunotherapy.

2 min read

Researchers at the University of Turku in Finland have made significant progress in improving targeted cancer treatments with their latest study on bexmarilimab, an immunotherapy antibody. The study investigates the specific conditions under which bexmarilimab can effectively activate the immune system to fight cancer. Notably, the drug has the potential to 'reawaken' macrophages—key immune cells involved in the body's defense—particularly when tumors exist within an immunologically silent microenvironment. Furthermore, the research reveals that bexmarilimab can stimulate B cell–mediated immune responses in healthy tissue neighboring the tumor, regardless of the tumor’s sensitivity to therapy, suggesting immunological effects beyond the tumor itself.

A major advancement from this study is the development of a gene signature—analyzing the expression of five specific genes—that predicts which patients are most likely to respond positively to bexmarilimab treatment. This predictor tool holds promise for more precise patient selection, potentially enhancing treatment success rates. Researchers validated these findings using patient-derived tissue samples that closely mimic actual tumor-immune interactions, aligning with clinical trial outcomes.

Developed in Finland, bexmarilimab has shown encouraging results across various solid tumors. The insights gained from this study aim to optimize its use, tailoring therapies based on tumor microenvironment characteristics. "Understanding tumor biology better allows us to personalize immunotherapy, supporting the approach with gene signatures that could guide clinical decisions," said Dr. Maija Hollmén.

The discovery emphasizes the importance of the tumor microenvironment in immunotherapy efficacy and paves the way for expanded, more targeted treatments in the future.

For more details, see the study by Jenna H Rannikko et al. in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (2025). Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-advances-cancer-precision-therapies-patients.html

Stay Updated with Mia's Feed

Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.

How often would you like updates?

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Related Articles

How Gene Rearrangements Fuel the Progression of Kidney Cancer

New research reveals how gene rearrangements lead to the formation of fusion proteins that drive kidney cancer progression through liquid droplet condensates, opening potential new therapeutic avenues.

Could Sleep Medications Offer a New Hope in Preventing Tau Protein Buildup in the Brain?

Emerging animal studies suggest that certain sleep medications may help prevent tau protein buildup, a key factor in Alzheimer's disease. Learn how sleep quality could influence brain health and future treatments.

Limitations of Current Biomarkers in Assessing Post-Pregnancy Heart Failure Risk

New research questions the effectiveness of traditional biomarkers like NT-proBNP for predicting heart failure in women after complicated pregnancies, emphasizing the need for new screening methods.

Plant Extract from Strawberry Tree Shows Promise in Preventing and Treating Ulcerative Colitis in Rats

A recent rat study indicates that strawberry tree extract may offer protective and therapeutic benefits for ulcerative colitis, a common inflammatory bowel disease, by reducing inflammation and tissue damage.