A study conducted by researchers has identified the complex interplay between mesothelioma’s tumor genome, the tumor microenvironment, and clinical outcomes in the rare, asbestos-related disease. Their results highlight the need for sophisticated profiling of individual patients to ensure that treatments offered are most appropriate to their genetic profile.
Researchers Use High-tech Tools to Investigate Impact of Mesothelioma Tumor Microenvironment
Despite the best efforts of scientists, malignant mesothelioma continues to be one of the most challenging forms of cancer to treat. One of the biggest hurdles in identifying the most effective therapeutic strategy is the disease’s high heterogeneity — the significant differences found in both the tumor’s microenvironment and genetic alterations within the tumor itself.
To address these challenges and identify potential treatment targets, an international group of researchers conducted a phenogenomic analysis on 22 malignant pleural mesothelioma patients using imaging mass cytometry and whole-exome sequencing to see whether different tumor cell subpopulations and genetic alterations could predict clinical outcomes. This approach represented a departure from conventional imaging methods like immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and yielded the ability to identify distinct cell subpopulations in a way that had not previously been explored.
Study Finds Tumor Landscape Characteristics Predictive of Mesothelioma Outcomes
Though the researchers’ data suggested that individual genetic alterations have limited prognostic value, assessing the total picture encompassing the total number of mutations and the tumor microenvironment could be. The group found that the components of the tumor microenvironment significantly impact the evolution of tumors, while the intrinsic features of the cells directly shape a patient’s tumors’ composition, as well as activation of the microenvironment cells. They found that rather than epithelioid and sarcomatoid phenotypes being distinct subtypes of the disease, the cancer types exist on a spectrum, with six distinct types of tumor clusters.
Writing in The Journal of Translational Medicine, the researchers note that by integrating their discovery that an individual mesothelioma patient’s tumor mutational burden can have a significant influence on the composition of the tumor microenvironment, how the disease progresses, and what the patient’s outcomes are likely to be. They conclude that by integrating their findings with established biomarkers such as PD-L1, patients can be better stratified to optimize their treatments and predict their response to immunotherapy.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, research holds the best hope for improved outcomes and quality of life. For more information, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
