Gene activity predicts severe side effects from melanoma immunotherapy
Source: Bio News, August 2024
Adverse effects from immunotherapy treatment in melanoma patients are associated with a distinct pattern of
gene expression, offering the possibility for improved therapeutic strategies.
Researchers from NYU Langone Health, New York, analysed immune samples from over 200 melanoma patients treated with immunotherapy as part of the CheckMate-915 clinical trial. They found that the expression of 24
genes involved in the spleen tyrosine kinase signalling pathway was associated with severe immune-linked side effects, including skin rashes, liver toxicity and colitis. This pathway has previously been linked with autoimmune conditions, thus, a better understanding of this link may enable the development of better cancer treatments.
‘Our study results show that increased gene activity in the spleen tyrosine kinase pathway could be the basis of a possible blood test that identifies those melanoma patients most susceptible to having severe side effects from immunotherapy, and well before they start treatment’ said Dr Kelsey Monson, the co-lead author of the study.