Predicting response to FOLFIRINOX using immune-system genes
Treatment options are limited for advanced pancreatic cancer. FOLFIRINOX is currently the best available chemotherapy for many patients, but it is intensive and does not help everyone. Being able to predict non-response could spare patients an ineffective treatment and its side effects.
Researchers analysed blood samples from 200 patients, comparing immune-related genes and circulating biomarkers before and after chemotherapy. Patients who did not respond were more likely to have a TP53 mutation in their tumour and a TP53 variant in their normal DNA. Their blood also more often showed lower interleukin-1RA, higher miRNA-373-3p and lower miR-194-5p levels.
These findings suggest that a combination of biomarkers may predict response to FOLFIRINOX. A larger follow-up study has begun to confirm the results.