A groundbreaking technique has been developed by scientists, enabling the examination of the genetic material linked with the immune response to cancer in tissues stored in archives for numerous years. This technique, more sensitive and cost-effective than commercial alternatives, provides the capability to analyze archival cancer samples that were previously deemed too degraded for study.
The team from The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and University College London, who spearheaded this method, highlighted the significance of being able to delve into the extensive archives of patient samples in hospitals worldwide. This advancement opens up new possibilities to monitor how the immune system reacts during the progression, development, and treatment of cancer. In the long run, this breakthrough could pave the way for novel strategies to detect cancer advancement and enhance treatment outcomes.
Moreover, the researchers are currently seeking a strategic partnership to further develop this technique into a widely utilized tool for laboratory researchers in the field of immunology. Their findings were disseminated in the journal Cancer Research.
Insight into the dynamic interplay between the immune system and cancer cells remains a focal point for researchers. Understanding how cancers evade or manipulate immune cells holds the key to devising innovative treatment modalities. The T-cell receptor (TCR) assumes a vital role in this context, as it is responsible for prompting the immune system to combat foreign cells, including cancerous ones.
Genetic sequencing is utilized to decode the TCRs within an individual’s immune system. However, conventional TCR sequencing methods exhibit low success rates when applied to standard hospital samples preserved in formalin and paraffin wax, which degrade the genetic material, rendering it challenging to interpret.
Dr. Ann-Marie Baker, the lead author of the study, emphasized the robustness and accuracy of the newly developed FUME-TCRseq technique in analyzing the TCR repertoire in archival clinical specimens. This groundbreaking approach allows for the quantification and monitoring of specific T-cell populations over time and space, offering insights into their responses to treatment. Notably, it demonstrates efficacy in analyzing archival FFPE material, a feat unattainable with existing methodologies.
Professor Trevor Graham, the senior author of the study, stressed the urgent necessity for a reliable, cost-effective, and precise method to evaluate low-quality pathology samples containing valuable insights into the immune system’s response to cancer. This untapped wealth of knowledge within archival samples worldwide presents a promising avenue in the ongoing battle against cancer.
Dr. Iain Foulkes, Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, underscored the growing significance of immunotherapies in cancer treatment. Understanding T-cell receptors is pivotal in enhancing immunotherapy outcomes, with the newly introduced technique unlocking a plethora of samples that could accelerate advancements in this critical field.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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