Lung Cancer – Prof. Alessandra Curioni Fontecedro (HFR) et Prof. Jens Stein (UNIFR)

How can we identify lung cancer patients that will respond to immunotherapy?

Chemokine spatial profiling in lung cancer: improving prediction of potential response to immunotherapy

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of lung cancer, and in many patients, but not all, it responds to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. This project aims to identify patients that will or will not respond to immunotherapy based on the mapping of cytokines, small signaling molecules that control the immune response. Combining cytokine data with other information derived from lung tumor biopsies, this team aims to understand why many NSCLC patients do not respond to the treatment. 

Using a human cohort of patients, made up of 27 responders and 14 non-responders, chemokine-driven immune niches will be mapped using high-dimensional molecular imaging of human biopsies. Collaborating with skilled AI experts, they hope to be able to predict response to immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapies.