New Tool Reveals Immune Cell Levels Linked to Cancer Outcomes

Cancer research has taken a leap forward with the development of ImmuneLENS, a novel tool from researchers at University College London (UCL) and the Francis Crick Institute. This pioneering technology, described in Nature Genetics, assesses the number of T cells and B cells in the blood, offering crucial insights into cancer survival rates.

Understanding ImmuneLENS

ImmuneLENS leverages whole genome sequencing (WGS) to estimate T cell and B cell proportions in a person’s blood. By analyzing the entire DNA makeup, scientists can determine immune cell counts and understand how the body combats disease, providing valuable information for genetic illness research, including cancer.

Key Findings

Researchers analyzed over 90,000 WGS samples from the 100,000 Genomes Project. Their analysis revealed that cancer patients have a lower T cell count in the blood compared to healthy individuals. Notably, T cell levels strongly predict cancer outcomes, with a 47% reduction in deaths over five years post-surgery for those with higher T cell proportions. This correlation persisted across cancer types when adjusted for age and cancer stage.

Most immune system analysis until now has focused on the tumour itself, so the results we’re seeing using this new technique—exactly the number of immune cells in a person’s blood—are of considerable interest. What’s going on with immune cells in the blood seems to have a huge impact on cancer survival and may be able to predict how long a cancer patient will survive better than the number of T cells in the tumour alone.

Professor Nicholas McGranahan, UCL Cancer Institute

The implications of ImmuneLENS are profound. By integrating these biological markers into current genetic diagnostic tests, clinicians can make more informed decisions regarding patient treatment plans.

Immune System and Cancer

Cancer arises from genetic mutations within cells, and immune cells typically recognize and eliminate these mutations. However, cancer often disrupts this immune response. Understanding immune cell changes in both the tumor microenvironment and the broader immune system is essential for predicting patient response to treatment and developing effective strategies.

Sexual Differences in Cancer

The study also highlighted accelerated immune cell decline in cancer patients, particularly in males compared to females. While the reasons behind this sex difference remain unclear, researchers aim to explore whether it affects overall survival.

B Cells and Immune Response

An interesting discovery was that individuals who later developed cancer had lower B cell levels at the time of initial sampling. ImmuneLENS’ ability to distinguish B cell types led to the finding that B cells producing IgM/D antibodies are associated with better survival outcomes in cancer patients. These cells could serve as novel markers for cancer diagnosis and immunotherapy response prediction.

Future Applications

Dr. Robert Bentham, lead author of the study, anticipates that ImmuneLENS can be applied to existing large-scale WGS datasets, providing insights into immune system dynamics in health and disease. This method could be integrated into clinical practices without additional costs, facilitating personalized cancer treatment strategies.

Professor McGranahan and his team are funding a CRUK Biomarker Project Award to further translate these findings into clinical use. ImmuneLENS holds promise in enhancing treatments, particularly immunotherapy, by measuring T cell levels that are currently unassessable with standard genomic tests.

Conclusion

ImmuneLENS represents a significant advancement in cancer research. By measuring immune cell levels in the blood, it offers a predictive tool for survival and treatment strategies. Continued research could lead to more personalized care and improved outcomes for cancer patients.

Cancer Research UK is pleased to support this ongoing work investigating whether measuring immune cell levels in our blood can help predict cancer survival. We’re living in a golden age of research where we can use patient data in sophisticated ways to help us better understand cancer and how to beat it.

Dr. Nisharnthi Duggan, Research Information Manager, Cancer Research UK

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