Blood Samples Could Be Used to Find Cancer-Specific Proteins Needed for Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, a form of personalized cancer treatment, currently requires a tumor sample to be removed surgically and analyzed so that the personalized treatment needed by the patient can be manufactured. However, getting the needed tumor sample can be challenging in many patients, such as those with tumors in hard-to-access parts of the body or those whose physical condition makes it risky to have surgery done to extract a sample. 

In some cases, the wait time to have a biopsy is long, which can delay the commencement of needed treatment. A new study suggests that a blood sample could provide a viable way to obtain the needed tumor-specific proteins required to develop personalized treatments for patients. 

This research was conducted by a team at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology located in Barcelona, Spain. The researchers were led by Alena Gros, PhD. She explained that the process of making personalized immunotherapies depends on the identification of the exact neoantigens a tumor has, together with the specific T-cells that the patient’s immune system has mobilized to combat that cancer. 

Given that obtaining tumor tissue samples is often challenging, the researchers wanted to find out whether the needed T-cells and tumor neoantigens could be identified from a blood sample taken from the patient. 

For their study, the researchers obtained blood samples from eight patients that had advanced colorectal cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, or neck and head cancer. These cancers had all metastasized.  

The team analyzed the blood samples in order to obtain data on the tumor DNA that was present in the blood of the patients, as well as the neoantigens. Two of the eight blood samples didn’t yield the ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA), and the researchers say this happens when the patient has a form of cancer that sheds very little of its DNA into the patient’s blood. 

The six blood samples provided data on tumor DNA that was consistent with the information obtained when actual tumor samples were analyzed after a biopsy. Regarding the neoantigens manifested in the tumors, the blood samples also provided data that was 63.25-97.4% consistent with what was obtained when excised tumor samples were analyzed. 

The researchers also isolated T-cells that had specifically been created by patients in response to the cancer they had. These T-cells not only recognized but also reacted to the neoantigens that had been identified in each of the patients whose blood samples yielded tumor DNA particles. 

The team then obtained blood samples from another group of 69 cancer patients. Blood samples again proved useful in about half of the patients, showing that the approach has strong potential. 

Gros explains that using blood samples has a major key advantage over relying on samples obtained through a biopsy. She explains that for patients with metastatic cancer, tumors are present in different parts of the body and a biopsy is often conducted on just one tumor. Each tumor may mutate or have characteristics that differ from tumors in other sites within the same patient, and the patient’s body could respond differently to tumors present in different regions of the body. 

She says a blood sample offers a better way to obtain a broader picture of the neoantigens and specific T-cells in a patient since blood circulates across the entire body and picks up these proteins. Blood analysis also provides an easier way to monitor how the patient is responding to treatment. 

If additional clinical trials confirm the efficacy of the blood-based approach to obtaining data on cancer neoantigens and specific T-cell activation, the method could potentially reduce the time that is required to manufacture immunotherapies developed by entities like Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc. (NYSE American: CLDI). 

About BioMedWire

BioMedWire (“BMW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on the latest developments in the Biotechnology (BioTech), Biomedical Sciences (BioMed) and Life Sciences sectors. It is one of 75+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, BMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, BMW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness.

BMW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.

To receive SMS alerts from BioMedWire, “Biotech” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.BioMedWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.BioMedWire.com/Disclaimer

BioMedWire
Austin, Texas
www.BioMedWire.com
512.354.7000 Office
Editor@BioMedWire.com

BioMedWire is powered by IBN