Precise cancer diagnosis: New approach to identify neoepitopen

Precise cancer diagnosis: New approach to identify neoepitopen

The development of personalized immunotherapies remains a key area in cancer research. These therapies, including innovative approaches such as therapeutic cancer vaccinations and T cell therapies, are designed to match the immune system of patients to their specific tumor characteristics. An important aspect for these personalized approaches is the identification of neoepitopen - specific protein changes that occur in cancer and can be recognized by the immune system.

One of the challenges in oncology is that the changed protein characteristics, also known as neoepitopes, can only be used therapeutically if they are clearly identified. Mutations within the DNA change the structure of proteins, which gives them a new, "foreign" appearance. In order to recognize these changes, a more precise analysis of the tumor samples is required.

New methods for the detection of neoepitopen

A groundbreaking development in this area is the use of mass spectrometry (MS) that enables scientists to determine the mass of protein fragments. This technology provides the crucial evidence that certain neoepitopen are present on the surface of the tumor cells. According to Angelika Riemer, an immunologist at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), conventional mass spectrometry is a challenge, since rare peptides are often not discovered.

The team at the DKFZ has developed a new analysis protocol that allows the neoepitopes to be demonstrated in significantly smaller tissue samples. The researchers first synthesize the protein fragments in the laboratory to optimize the analysis parameters for the mass spectrometer. This technique changes the approach to the tumor diagnosis: The team has shown that they can identify a neoepitop with only two and a half million cells, which does not even have as much volume as a grain of sand.

In several tumor samples from three patients, the researchers were able to find five neoepitopen and confirm the immunological reactions of the T cells. These discoveries are crucial because they pave the way for the development of individual therapies that are specifically directed against the specific characteristics of tumors.

Significance of the validation for therapy

Research shows that a targeted approach with a reduced number of validated neoepitopen may achieve the same effectiveness as current treatments that often work with up to 30 different epitopes. According to the researcher Angelika Riemer, this could support the development of more effective tumor vaccines. She emphasizes that the validation of the target epitope is crucial for progress in therapy, especially in the development of T cells with specific receptors that can attack cancer cells.

The DKFZ, as the largest biomedical research institution in Germany, plays a central role in this research. It strives to develop new strategies for cancer diagnosis and treatment and to transferred innovative approaches from research directly into clinical applications. It works closely with various university clinics to improve the treatment options for cancer patients.

Outlook for future immunotherapies

The progress in the field of neoepitopen-based therapeutic approaches mark a promising step towards personalized cancer therapies. By using the new mass spectrometry protocol, the identification of tumor-new epitopes can be made more efficient, which can ultimately lead to patients get tailor-made treatment options faster. Research in this area could not only produce new therapy options, but also optimize and adapt the existing methods.

background information on immunotherapy

immunotherapy is one of the most promising developments in oncology. It aims to mobilize the body's immune system in order to target cancer cells. Research has made significant progress in this area, especially in recent decades. An essential drive of this development is the growing understanding of the genetic foundations of cancer and the mechanisms of how tumors can suppress the body's immune response.

In 2010, immunotherapy was officially recognized when the scientists James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their Immun blockade work. They showed that inhibitions from certain immune points that weaken the immune response enables the body to effectively combat tumors. These research paved the way for the development of new immunological treatments that give patients hope that do not address conventional therapies.

Current statistics on the effectiveness of immunotherapy

A current meta-analysis of studies on immunotherapy has shown that around 40-50% of patients with advanced melanoma benefit from immunotherapeutic approaches. In a large phase III study on PD-1 inhibitors, a response rate of up to 45% was observed, which shows significant improvements compared to conventional treatments. Another important study on car-t cell therapies that have been developed for certain types of blood cancer has shown a remission rate of over 80% in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The use of individually adapted immunotherapies also opens up new perspectives: According to a current survey by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), over 70% of oncologists consider personalized approaches as the future standard in cancer therapy. The demand for therapies that are tailored to the specific genetic profiles of the tumors grows steadily and is crucial for the further development of the treatment options.