Macrophages, not T cells, may hold key to predicting which melanoma patients are more likely to respond to immunotherapy
Source: Medical Xpress, January 2025
PD-L1 ligand expression demonstrates heterogeneity in both pre- and postconditions and was without direct correlation with the interactive state or TVEC response. The red line indicates no interaction (transfer efficiency of 4% or lower). Credit: JCO Oncology Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1200/OA-24-00049
An international team of UK and US scientists has discovered that the activity of macrophages—a type of white blood cell that engulf pathogens and cancer cells—can be used to predict whether or not a melanoma patient will respond to immunotherapy. Their findings, published in a paper in JCO Oncology Advances, will help clinicians select treatments that are most likely to be effective for their patients.
Immunotherapy is a powerful treatment for a range of cancers including skin and kidney cancer, but unfortunately only around half of patients respond to this type of treatment.