In recent years, therapies based on the inhibition of molecules that regulate key processes in the immune system (Immune Checkpoint) have entirely changed cancer patients' treatment pathways and prognosis. In particular, monoclonal antibodies that can bind specifically to certain immune system cells (particularly T lymphocytes) and block the interaction with proteins present on the surface of the tumour have been developed, allowing reactivation and amplification of the anti-tumour response.

The introduction of these therapies (such as the anti-PD1 immunotherapy) has highlighted how important it is to understand the immune system's level of wellbeing in patients undergoing such treatments to predict their clinical outcome.

A study published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research and carried out by the Laboratory of Tumour Immunology and Cellular Therapies of the Department of Experimental Medicine at Sapienza University of Rome, the Oncology Unit B and the Department of Radiology, Oncology and Pathology at the Policlinico Umberto I General Hospital, in collaboration with the Department of Oncology of the Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, has demonstrated that the frequency of a subgroup of immune cells, CD137+ lymphocytes, can define the wellness levels of the oncological patient's immune system and its ability to respond to immunotherapy.

The multidisciplinary research group, coordinated by Chiara Napoletano and Marianna Nuti of the Department of Experimental Medicine of Sapienza University of Rome, and by Andrea Botticelli of the Oncology at the Policlinico Umberto I General Hospital, has demonstrated and validated that the frequency of circulating CD137+ T lymphocytes, analysed before the beginning of immunotherapy treatment, can be considered a marker of immune system wellbeing, capable of predicting the clinical outcome of therapy, regardless of the type of tumour and the number of previous treatments the cancer patient has undergone.

Patients with a high percentage of CD137+ T lymphocytes in their blood have significantly higher disease-free progression and survival than patients with lower circulating levels of these cells," says Chiara Napoletano. "Moreover, by associating the frequency of these lymphocytes with two other clinical parameters, such as biological sex and performance status, it was possible to define the profile of the cancer patient who will best benefit from anti-PD1 immunotherapy in terms of survival".

The analysis of this lymphocyte subpopulation will make it possible to improve the selection of patients who will undergo immunological treatment and predict the clinical outcome of therapy, allowing oncologists to make the best choice of treatment for the patient.

References:

Circulating CD137 + T cells correlate with improved response to anti-PD1 immunotherapy in cancer patients - Ilaria Grazia Zizzari, Alessandra Di Filippo, Andrea Botticelli, Lidia Strigari, Angelina Pernazza, Emma Rullo, Maria Gemma Pignataro, Alessio Ugolini, Fabio Scirocchi, Francesca Romana Di Pietro, Ernesto Rossi, Alain Gelibter, Giovanni Schinzari, Giulia d'Amati, Aurelia Rughetti, Paolo Marchetti, Marianna Nuti, Chiara Napoletano - Clin Can Res 2022 doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-21-2918 

Further Information

Chiara Napoletano
Department of Experimental Medicine
chiara.napoletano@uniroma1.it