A team of researchers from the University of Turku in Finland has developed a novel gene expression test that could revolutionize how cancer patients are selected for immunotherapy treatment. The study, published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, identifies specific biomarkers that predict which patients will respond to the immunotherapy drug bexmarilimab.
The research team discovered a five-gene expression signature that effectively identifies tumors likely to respond to bexmarilimab treatment. This molecular fingerprint could serve as a critical tool for oncologists making treatment decisions.
"This gene signature gives us a tool to identify patients whose tumors are likely to respond to bexmarilimab," explained Jenna Rannikko, Doctoral Researcher and lead author of the study. "Supporting treatment decisions with gene signatures measured from the tumor may help target therapies to those who are most likely to benefit."
How Bexmarilimab Works
The study revealed that bexmarilimab functions by "waking up" macrophages, a type of immune cell, to act against cancer cells. This activation was found to be particularly effective in what researchers describe as "immunologically silent" tumor environments—areas where immune cells are typically inactive against the cancer.
Interestingly, the research also demonstrated that bexmarilimab triggers B cell-mediated immune responses in healthy tissue adjacent to tumors, regardless of the neighboring tumor's sensitivity to the treatment. This suggests the drug may have broader immunological effects beyond the tumor itself.
Innovative Research Methodology
The Finnish team utilized patient-derived tissue samples that closely mimic real-life interactions between tumors and the immune system. By measuring treatment responses in these tissues, researchers observed patterns similar to those seen in previous clinical trials of bexmarilimab.
This approach allowed the team to identify which tumor characteristics predict positive responses to the therapy, potentially saving patients from ineffective treatments while directing them toward more beneficial options.
Advancing Precision Medicine
Associate Professor Maija Hollmén, the study's principal investigator, emphasized the importance of understanding the tumor microenvironment for developing more effective cancer treatments.
"Our findings suggest that by better understanding the tumor microenvironment, we can tailor immunotherapies to the patients who are most likely to benefit," said Hollmén. "In addition, understanding the factors that influence treatment efficacy may help expand its use to new patient groups in the future."
Bexmarilimab, which was developed in Finland, has already shown promising results in several types of solid tumors. The next step for researchers is clinical validation of the gene signature, which could enable its routine use in clinical settings for more precise patient profiling.
Part of Broader Research Initiative
The study was conducted as part of the InFLAMES Flagship, a joint research initiative between the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University. This program focuses on advancing personalized medicine through immunology research and is part of the Research Council of Finland's Flagship Programme.
The development of this gene signature test represents a significant step forward in the field of precision oncology, where treatments are increasingly tailored to individual patients based on their unique genetic and molecular profiles.
