"For many patients with melanoma whose tumors shrink after treatment with a class of immunotherapy drugs called checkpoint inhibitors, their tumors eventually grow back despite continued treatment. A new study has identified genetic mechanisms that may be responsible for this acquired treatment resistance in at least some of these patients.
The researchers found mutations in tumors from three patients with advanced melanoma that allowed the tumors to become resistant to the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab (Keytruda®). Specifically, the mutations enabled the tumors to avoid recognition and attack by immune cells."
https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/canc ... e-melanoma
Mutations Linked to Immunotherapy Resistance
Re: Mutations Linked to Immunotherapy Resistance
"Mechanisms of Resistance
Immune checkpoint inhibitors "release the brakes" on the immune system, allowing T cells to become active and secrete a cytokine called interferon gamma. Interferon gamma suppresses the growth of cancer cells through a signaling pathway that requires JAK proteins.
Two of the four patients studied had mutations in either JAK1 or JAK2, the genes that code for JAK proteins, in their relapsed tumors. In both cases the mutation generated a shortened, nonfunctional protein."
Immune checkpoint inhibitors "release the brakes" on the immune system, allowing T cells to become active and secrete a cytokine called interferon gamma. Interferon gamma suppresses the growth of cancer cells through a signaling pathway that requires JAK proteins.
Two of the four patients studied had mutations in either JAK1 or JAK2, the genes that code for JAK proteins, in their relapsed tumors. In both cases the mutation generated a shortened, nonfunctional protein."
Debbie