Researchers have made a significant discovery that could one day help tailor immunotherapy treatments for patients with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. The findings suggest that an epigenetic test could predict which patients will respond best to these therapies.
The study focused on the PVR gene, a key regulator of the immune system. A subgroup of patients was found to have hypermethylation in this gene, which reduces its expression and makes myeloma cells more vulnerable to immunotherapy. This epigenetic change could offer a new target for treatments and serve as a marker for personalized treatment plans.
Researchers from the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute analysed data from 776 patients and discovered that those with lower PVR gene expression tended to live longer. Laboratory tests confirmed the immune system’s enhanced effectiveness against tumor cells when the PVR gene was eliminated, using various immunotherapies such as T-lymphocytes, CAR-T, and CAR-NK cells.
Professor Manel Esteller, the study’s lead researcher, emphasized that their results highlight the importance of targeting the PVR gene in improving immunotherapy outcomes. He called on the pharmaceutical industry and clinical researchers to further develop this approach for practical use in patient care.
This breakthrough could lead to more personalized and effective treatments for multiple myeloma, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
Helena Bradbury, EMJ
Reference
Martinez-Verbo L et al. PVR (CD155) epigenetic status mediates immunotherapy response in multiple myeloma. Leukemia. 2024.
