Phase 2 trial identifies genetic dysfunction that makes many types of cancer vulnerable to an immunotherapy

A team of researchers has identified a genetic malfunction that predicts the effectiveness of response to a groundbreaking immunotherapy. The results of their Phase 2 clinical trial reveal that, regardless of its tissue of origin, tumors whose cells are deficient in repairing mismatched DNA sequences–and so preventing mutations–are far more susceptible to the checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab than those that retain this ability.

A team of researchers has identified a genetic malfunction that predicts the effectiveness of response to a groundbreaking immunotherapy. The results of their Phase 2 clinical trial reveal that, regardless of its tissue of origin, tumors whose cells are deficient in repairing mismatched DNA sequences–and so preventing mutations–are far more susceptible to the checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab than those that retain this ability.
SOURCE: Latest Science News — ScienceDaily – Read entire story here.