New Genetic Marker Enhances Survival Rates in Ovarian and Other Cancers with Immunotherapy

Recent research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has identified a specific genetic mutation in the PPP2R1A gene that is associated with better survival outcomes for patients undergoing immunotherapy, particularly in cases of ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC). Patients with this mutation showed a median overall survival of over five years (66.9 months), significantly longer than the approximately 9 months observed in patients without the mutation. These findings suggest that PPP2R1A mutations could serve as a crucial biomarker to guide tailored treatment approaches in ovarian cancer, a disease often resistant to conventional therapies.

Published in the journal Nature, the study provides compelling evidence that tumors harboring PPP2R1A mutations respond more favorably to immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as durvalumab and tremelimumab, in a phase II clinical trial involving 34 treatment-resistant OCCC patients. The research team also confirmed these results across additional patient cohorts, including those with endometrial cancer and a large group of over 9,000 cancer patients treated with immunotherapy.

Laboratory experiments complemented clinical findings, revealing that targeting PPP2R1A and the associated protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) pathway enhanced immunotherapy responses both in vitro and in vivo. These insights suggest that drugs aimed at modulating the PPP2A pathway could be an effective adjunct to immunotherapy, potentially improving outcomes for many patients.

Co-senior author Dr. Amir Jazaeri emphasized the significance of these discoveries, stating, "Our study not only pinpoints a new biomarker in ovarian cancer but also demonstrates survival benefits across multiple cancer types. While PPP2R1A mutations are rare, targeting the PP2A pathway might offer broader therapeutic advantages."

This research opens new avenues for personalized cancer treatment, with ongoing clinical trials evaluating drugs that influence the PPP2A pathway and further investigations into its role across diverse malignancies. The interdisciplinary collaboration involved experts in genomic medicine, experimental therapeutics, and data science, reinforcing the integrated approach needed to advance cancer care.

For more details, see the full study in Nature: DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09203-8. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-genetic-marker-linked-survival-immunotherapy.html