Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

New research from the Fairfax Group has identified a genetic marker that could be used to predict a patient’s risk of developing serious side-effects when undergoing immunotherapy treatment for metastatic melanoma.

The study, published in Nature Medicine, analysed genetic information from more than 200 patients undergoing treatment for melanoma (one of the most common skin cancers), to find stretches of DNA that correlated with whether the patient developed severe side-effects from the treatment.

Cancer immunotherapy is central to the medical management of melanoma, being used to reduce the risk of melanoma returning after surgery, but also when it has spread around the body. The most common immunotherapy involves patients being given drugs called ‘checkpoint inhibitors’, which help stimulate the immune system and are given as infusions through a drip. Whilst checkpoint immunotherapy has revolutionised melanoma treatment, a subset of patients will develop serious side-effects due to their immune system attacking other tissues and organs.  This can lead to diverse symptoms, including diarrhoea, lung inflammation and joint and muscle pain.  Whilst these are typically transient, patients may require strong steroid medication to dampen their immune responses and often have to stop immunotherapy altogether. In rare cases these side-effects can be life-threatening. Currently clinicians have no way of predicting who will develop such side-effects, and also have very limited insights into the way side-effects develop.

In this latest research a study from the Dana Faber Cancer Institute, co-published in Nature Medicine, identified a change in the genetic code of the IL7 gene - with patients carrying this significantly more likely to develop side-effects. The paper from the Oxford team, led by Associate Professor Ben Fairfax from the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine at the University of Oxford, was able to replicate the Dana Faber findings, and extended the work by showing the immunological consequences of this change.

Speaking about the work, Prof Fairfax said: “We found individuals carrying this genetic variant, which is present in about 8% of patients treated for melanoma, were about six times more likely to develop side effects severe enough to require steroids. Furthermore, we found this genetic variant alters the amount of IL7 code produced by B cells – a cell type normally associated with making antibodies, so to see the genetic effect acting in these cells was surprising”. 

Interestingly, the Oxford University researchers found that the effect of this genetic change was detectable in B cells before immunotherapy was given, suggesting B cells play an important role in the immune response to untreated skin cancer. Supporting this, they found in analysis of historical samples from patients with melanoma, that the genetic change appeared to be naturally protective against the melanoma recurrence.  

Professor Fairfax said “what is fascinating is that whilst patients with this genetic risk variant were more likely to get side-effects from immunotherapy, both groups found that patients with this change appeared independently to have less chance of the cancer returning”. He added: “whilst it is important to emphasise that if a patient carries this genetic marker it doesn’t guarantee that they’ll have serious side-effects after cancer immunotherapy or vice versa, we think that this work might enable a genetic test to help patients with melanoma, in discussion with their doctors, decide the treatment best for them. We also believe these observations can guide new treatment development for melanoma when it has spread.”

The study was carried out in conjunction with the Oxford Skin Cancer clinical team at the Churchill Hospital, led by Dr Miranda Payne. She said: “This work would not have been possible without the close working relationship we have with researchers in the University, as well as the incredible generosity of all our patients who have contributed samples. We are hugely grateful because these results represent a step-change in our understanding of who may be most at risk from some of our treatments. .. The more individualised our understanding of our patients’ risks from immunotherapy, the easier it will be to guide them through the complex treatment decisions they may have to face.’

The full paper, ''IL7 genetic variation and toxicity to immune checkpoint blockade in patients with melanoma' can be read in Nature Medicine.

Similar stories

Machine Learning Predicts SETD2 Mutation Status with Unprecedented Accuracy using DNA methylation

In a pan-cancer analysis spanning 24 different cancer type, researchers shed light on the critical role of SETD2 in tumourigenesis.

Oxford to launch UK’s first trials unit dedicated to conducting precision prevention and early detection studies

Oxford researchers have been given a £1 million boost to support their strategy of developing cancer prevention treatments and early diagnostic tools for people at high risk of cancer.

Multi-cancer blood test shows real promise in NHS trial

An NHS trial of a new blood test for more than 50 types of cancer correctly revealed two out of every three cancers in more than 5,000 people who had visited their GP with suspected symptoms, in England or Wales. The test also correctly identified the original site of cancer in 85% of those cases.

The Howat Foundation to fund Chair in Clinical Oncology

Oxford Cancer announce the endowment of a Chair in Clinical Oncology, thanks to generous philanthropic support from The Howat Foundation

New Oxford and Nottingham developed tool uses existing health records to predict people’s risk of developing lung cancer within the next 10 years

A team of researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of Nottingham have developed a new tool, called ‘CanPredict’, aimed at identifying the people most at risk of developing lung cancer over the next 10 years, and put them forward for screening tests earlier, saving time, money and, most importantly, lives.

Oxford gets £122m funding for healthcare research

Health and care research in Oxford is to receive £122 million in government funding over the next five years to improve diagnosis, treatment and care for NHS patients. The funding was awarded to the city’s two National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centres (BRC).