Next-generation sequencing: unraveling genetic mechanisms that shape cancer immunotherapy efficacy

Abstract

Immunity is governed by fundamental genetic processes. These processes shape the nature of immune cells and set the rules that dictate the myriad complex cellular interactions that power immune systems. Everything from the generation of T cell receptors and antibodies, control of epitope presentation, and recognition of pathogens by the immunoediting of cancer cells is, in large part, made possible by core genetic mechanisms and the cellular machinery that they encode. In the last decade, next-generation sequencing has been used to dissect the complexities of cancer immunity with potent effect. Sequencing of exomes and genomes has begun to reveal how the immune system recognizes “foreign” entities and distinguishes self from non-self, especially in the setting of cancer. High-throughput analyses of transcriptomes have revealed deep insights into how the tumor microenvironment affects immunotherapy efficacy. In this Review, we discuss how high-throughput sequencing has added to our understanding of how immune systems interact with cancer cells and how cancer immunotherapies work.

Next-generation sequencing-based detection in a breast MMPMN patient with EGFR T790M mutation: a rare case report and literature review

“…It can determine whether the patient has a target for follow-up immunotargeted therapy or immunochemotherapy combined therapy. In addition, at the critical point of disease recurrence or metastasis, NGS can effectively provide a new direction for therapy, thereby bringing new hope to patients ( 26 ). In terms of which type of NGS to perform, clinicians should advise the patient to make a discretionary choice based on each patient’s own condition and financial situation ( 27 ).…”

Novel strategies for cancer immunotherapy: counter-immunoediting therapy

“…A combination of multiplex immunohistochemistry, single-cell sequencing, and spatial transcriptome technologies to assess tumor status and analyze immune infiltration in tumor tissues can be used to develop corresponding treatment plans. Halima et al previously summarized cancer immunotherapy biomarkers discovered using high-throughput sequencing technology and highlighted the importance of utilizing such biomarkers for individualized therapy [17]. However, there is no uniform standard for immunophenotyping in tumor tissues and its application to clinical practice.…”

The promise of targeting heme and mitochondrial respiration in normalizing tumor microenvironment and potentiating immunotherapy

“…Unfortunately, many cancer patients show limited efficacy and adverse effects to immunotherapies due to different factors such as an immunosuppressive TME or mutations limiting the T cell infiltration to tumor cells ( 31 ). An adverse effects could be a cytokine storm, a sudden inflammatory response because of activating the immune system that can be dangerous to the host ( 32 ).…”