Researchers at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified a biomarker called CX3CR1 that may be able to predict a patient’s response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Six to nine weeks after the patient begins therapy, a straightforward blood test can identify the biomarker, which is expressed on T-cells.
After six and nine weeks of treatment, the researchers discovered that patients with higher levels of CX3CR1 were more likely to experience the long-term benefits of chemoimmunotherapy, such as tumor reduction and cancer remission.
The identification of the biomarker may aid in determining the best cancer therapies while preventing unneeded side effects and intrusive biopsies.