Mismatch repair deficiency predicts response of solid tumors to PD-1 blockade
Abstract
Colon cancers with loss-of-function mutations in the mismatch repair (MMR) pathway have favorable responses to PD-1 blockade immunotherapy. In a phase 2 clinical trial, Le et al. showed that treatment success is not just limited to colon cancer (see the Perspective by Goswami and Sharma). They found that a wide range of different cancer types with MMR deficiency also responded to PD-1 blockade. The trial included some patients with pancreatic cancer, which is one of the deadliest forms of cancer. The clinical trial is still ongoing, and around 20% of patients have so far achieved a complete response. MMR deficiency appears to be a biomarker for predicting successful treatment outcomes for several solid tumors and indicates a new therapeutic option for patients harboring MMR-deficient cancers.
- Publication:
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Science
- Pub Date:
- July 2017
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.aan6733
- Bibcode:
- 2017Sci...357..409L
- Keywords:
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- MEDICINE