Beyond therapeutic boundaries in melanoma: unraveling biomarkers and strategies to enhance immunotherapy

• Grant number: 23/12251-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Lidia Maria Rebolho Batista Arantes
• Grantee: Bruna Pereira Sorroche
• Host Institution: Hospital do Câncer de Barretos. Fundação Pio XII (FP). Barretos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies have revolutionized the treatment of melanomas. Such approaches harness the patient's immune system to effectively combat cancer. While promising, these treatments can trigger autoimmune reactions and variability in patient response, in addition to presenting high costs. Objective: The aim of this study is to deepen the understanding of the response to immunotherapy in melanoma patients by identifying relevant biomarkers and molecular mechanisms associated with treatment efficacy. Methodology: A comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of samples from melanoma patients undergoing ICI therapies is proposed. Data will be obtained from previously published studies that employed single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing. Molecular findings will be correlated with clinical data to comprehend the relationship between therapeutic response and patient survival. Expected outcomes: The results will provide valuable insights into mechanisms leading to immune evasion by melanoma, enabling the development of more effective strategies against this aggressive cancer. Moreover, the study can significantly impact clinical practice, as the identification of predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy response will allow meticulous patient selection for maximum benefit. This will not only enhance therapeutic success rates but also prevent unnecessary exposure for non-responsive patients. Lastly, the discovery of potential therapeutic targets will lay a strong foundation for personalized therapy development. (AU)