Scientists make important discovery in lung cancer

Treatment for lung cancer has improved in recent years, and a new study from Edith Cowan University has shown how to make it even more effective. (Source: Creative Commons)

Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer, accounting for about 1.8 million deaths worldwide.

Treatment for this condition has improved in recent years, and a new study from Edith Cowan University has shown how to make it even more effective.

Immunotherapy has become a major weapon in the fight against non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for 80-85 percent of all lung cancer diagnoses.

Unfortunately, immunotherapy can also lead to serious side effects in patients: at least 74% of those treated will experience immune-related adverse reactions.

Up to 21 percent will develop grade 3 or 4 toxicity, which can lead to lifelong complications affecting the skin, gut, liver, or endocrine system.

These adverse reactions may lead to discontinuation of cancer treatment, which may lead to further progression of the disease.

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But, somewhat controversially, people who experience these side effects of immunotherapy tend to have more positive outcomes regarding cancer progression than those who don’t.

The study leader, Associate Professor Elin Gray of the ECU Center for Precision Healthcare, described immunotherapy as a “double-edged sword,” but the researchers have made an important breakthrough.

“Immunotherapy frees up the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells,” she said.

“But they can also release immune cells to attack the body, causing toxicity.

“Our study shows for the first time that certain genetic traits predispose cancer patients to develop side effects or toxicity of anticancer therapy.”

Associate Professor Elin Grey. (Credit: Edith Cowan University)

“Knowing this will enable doctors to improve patient care.”

HLA Discovery Benefits Everyone

Key to the study are human leukocyte antigens, or HLA, which are markers found on most cells in the body.

Dr. Afaf Abed. (Credit: Edith Cowan University)

The immune system uses HLA to determine which cells belong to your body and which do not, and are part of the signaling system that detects viruses, infections, and cancer.

The research team studied the HLA of 179 patients with non-small cell lung cancer and found a strong association between the genetic makeup of HLA and a person’s likelihood of developing side effects of immunotherapy.

Study leader Dr. Afaf Abed said the discovery would benefit all patients with non-small cell lung cancer, whether they were genetically predisposed to adverse reactions to immunotherapy or not.

“If it turns out that someone is not at risk of side effects, doctors can step up treatment and be more aggressive in fighting the disease,” she said.

“If they are found to be at higher risk, doctors can ease treatment, monitor it, and intervene before patients develop grade 3 or 4 toxicity.

“In any case, biomarkers that predict the risk of these immune-mediated adverse events in patients may reduce the risks associated with this treatment.”

“Association of the HLA genotype with the development of immune dependent adverse events (irAE) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with single agent immunotherapy” was published in the European Journal of Cancer.

For more science news, visit our New Discoveries section at The bright side of the news.

Note. Materials provided above by Edith Cowan University. Content can be edited for style and length.

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