Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Emerging Therapies

Ikena Oncology and Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals Announce Merger to Form ImageneBio

Fujirebio and Eisai Partner to Advance Diagnostics for Neurodegenerative Diseases

European Commission Approves Opdivo® Plus Yervoy® for First-Line Treatment of MSI-H or dMMR mCRC

Deerfield Management to Acquire Singular Genomics for $20 Per Share in All-Cash Deal

EU Approval of Tagrisso Sets New Standard for EGFR-Mutated NSCLC Treatment

Aurobindo Pharma’s Subsidiary CuraTeQ Secures UK Approval for Bevacizumab Biosimilar

SCG Cell Therapy Partners with A*STAR BTI and NATi to Advance RNA-Based Therapeutics

Korea's National Bio Big Data Project: Advancing Precision Medicine with Macrogen and Illumina

GST Exemption Announced for Cancer Treatment Gene Therapy

AIIMS Develops Affordable CAR-T Cell Therapy for Multiple Myeloma

Sangamo Therapeutics and Astellas Collaborate on Innovative Gene Therapy for Neurological Diseases

FDA Clears IND for Arbor Biotechnologies’ ABO-101 Gene Editing Therapeutic for Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1

Fortis Healthcare Acquires Stake in Agilus Diagnostics

FDA Approves BRAFTOVI® Combination Regimen as First-Line Treatment for BRAF V600E-Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Home
/
insight
/
details

Immunotherapy and Tumor mutational burden (TMB): A Dynamic Duo

NextEdge Admin

04 May 2024

3 min 4 sec

Tumor mutational burden (TMB) serves as a pivotal biomarker in oncology, revealing the frequency of somatic mutations within a tumor’s genome. Elevated TMB levels signify a tumor’s heightened genetic instability and propensity for rapid mutation accumulation, which in turn fosters increased neoantigen expression. These neoantigens serve as beacons for the immune system, facilitating tumor recognition and subsequent immune response.

Across various cancer types, including colorectal cancer, melanoma, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), high TMB has emerged as a promising indicator of potential responsiveness to immunotherapy. Immunotherapeutic agents like pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and ipilimumab have shown efficacy in patients with high TMB, even in cases where tumors exhibit microsatellite stability (MSS).

The clinical significance of TMB extends beyond its prognostic value, serving as a predictive marker for treatment outcomes. Patients with high TMB often experience improved response rates and prolonged progression-free survival when treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This expanded applicability of immunotherapy beyond conventional PD-L1 testing broadens the pool of patients who may benefit from these therapies.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized TMB assessment, enabling comprehensive analysis through targeted gene panels or whole exome sequencing. Moreover, ongoing research explores the feasibility of assessing TMB through blood samples, leveraging circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis. While still primarily utilized within research settings, blood-based TMB testing holds promise for future clinical applications.

The decision to undergo TMB testing should be made in consultation with healthcare professionals, considering individualized factors and tumor characteristics. For patients with MSS tumors, TMB evaluation can inform treatment strategies, potentially identifying candidates for immunotherapy regimens tailored to their tumor’s genetic profile.

TMB serves as a cornerstone biomarker in modern oncology, providing valuable insights into tumor biology and guiding personalized treatment approaches. Its integration into clinical practice heralds a new era of precision medicine, offering hope for improved outcomes and therapeutic efficacy in diverse cancer populations.