Assessment of CD24 and NFIL3 expression in melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors at the Barretos Cancer Hospital

• Grant number: 24/05148-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Applied Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Lidia Maria Rebolho Batista Arantes
• Grantee: Isabela Cristiane Tosi
• Host Institution: Hospital do Câncer de Barretos. Fundação Pio XII (FP). Barretos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is the most aggressive cutaneous neoplasm, the main interventions being surgery, chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Despite advances in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), a significant proportion of patients do not respond to treatment. In a previous study by the Immuno-Oncology group at the Barretos Cancer Hospital (HCB), the CD24 and NFIL3 genes were identified as potential biomarkers of response to ICIs. The CD24 gene is a promising prognostic biomarker, evidenced in cell migration, invasion and proliferation, as well as characterizing a subpopulation of tumor stem cells. The NFIL3 gene acts in the maturation and development of immune system cells, including B and T lymphocytes. It is therefore pertinent to study the interaction between the CD24 and NFIL3 genes as possible biomarkers of melanoma response and outcome. AIMS: To assess the predictive value of the CD24 and NFIL3 markers in the response to treatment with anti-PD-1 in a cohort of melanoma patients treated at the HCB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data related to the response to treatment of these patients will be collected and related to the protein expression of the CD24 and NFIL3 markers using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence techniques. EXPECTED RESULTS: It is believed that patients who are non-responders to ICI have a higher expression of CD24 and NFIL3, validating the gene expression results found previously. The markers are expected to have adequate predictive value and may constitute an immunohistochemical/immunofluorescence analysis panel for clinical application.