Identification of microenvironment features associated with primary resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 + antiangiogenesis in gastric cancer through spatial transcriptomics and plasma proteomics
In this study led by Pr. Antoine Italiano (Bergonié & Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Centers), 49 patients with advanced gastric cancer were treated with avelumab (a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor) in combination with the anti-angiogenic drug regorafenib (a multi-kinase tyrosine inhibitor). Despite encouraging efficacy results, a significant subset of patients did not respond to this therapeutic regimen.

Explicyte utilized spatial transcriptomics to profile the expression of over 18,000 protein-coding genes across six tumors from both responding and non-responding patients from the REGOMUNE & REGONIVO studies (both combining regorafenib with immune checkpoint inhibition). In the immune compartments of resistant patients, the CD163 gene was found to be overexpressed, alongside an enrichment in M2 macrophages. Non-responding patients also exhibited a strong upregulation of the S100A10 protein in tumor cells—a protein involved in macrophage chemotaxis.

We then developed two immunohistofluorescence (IHF) panels to validate these findings via digital pathology in 43 tumor biopsies. The results confirmed the abundance of M2 macrophages in resistant patients, with a significant increase in the M2/M1 ratio, and the overexpression of S100A10 in tumor cells among patients with poor responses.

Finally, plasma biomarkers were investigated using an Olink proteomic panel. Several cytokines (CSF-1, IL-4, IL-8, and TWEAK) associated with macrophage infiltration were found to be upregulated in patients with worse outcomes.

Altogether, this paper highlights the central role of M2 macrophages in the resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy combined with anti-angiogenic therapy in gastric cancers and provides perspectives for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

 

Read paper in Molecular Cancer

target identification cancer immunotherapy CRO services
Reference: PR0924
Contract type: Full time position,fix-term contract
Location: Bordeaux, France

 

You’re a PhD-level scientist with expertise in omics data analysis, particularly in transcriptomics (bulk, spatial, single-cell)? You have a background in immuno-oncology and experience in analyzing IHC/IF-generated images from tumor specimens? The opportunity to drive impactful translational research projects and contribute to high-impact publications piques your curiosity? Keep reading and apply!


 

About Explicyte


Explicyte is a preclinical and translational contract research organization specialized in immuno-oncology. Our mission is to support academics, biotechs and pharmas in the discovery of novel targets and novel cancer immunotherapies.

With a team of 25, we’re a human-sized company, which brings under the same roof cell biologists, immunologists, in vivo scientists, medical oncologists and bioinformaticians. Focused on sponsors’ projects, our activity also involves in-house R&D and external collaborations, which led to the publication of 25+ papers in high impact-factor journals.

Based in Bordeaux, our lab is located at the Bergonié Comprehensive Cancer Center, where we work in close contact with medical oncology teams. We believe Explicyte is a place to learn, grow, and have impact in the fight against cancer.

More about us

 

Your position


To strengthen our translational research activities and accelerate scientific discoveries, we are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher. This role is focused on cutting-edge research in oncology, immunology, and biology, with a strong emphasis on omics data analysis.

In this position, you will be responsible for innovative data analysis across various high-dimensional datasets, including transcriptomics (bulk, spatial, single-cell), proteomics, metabolomics, and image analysis from digital pathology (multiplexed IHC, IHF). You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, contributing to the design, analysis, and interpretation of complex biological data to advance our research programs.

You will report to the Data Science Director.

What you will find at Explicyte

 

Your skills & traits



  • Educational background: PhD in Biology, Immunology, Oncology, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or related fields.

  • Data analysis expertise: Strong experience in omics data analysis, with proficiency in handling transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and imaging data.

  • Theoretical knowledge in oncology/immunology/cell biology to interpret results.

  • Technical skills: Proficiency in R programming language is mandatory. Familiarity with Python, SQL, and bioinformatics software such as Qupath, FlowJo, and CellRanger is a plus.

  • Ability to work independently to successfully complete research projects.

  • Scientific Communication: Proven experience in preparing scientific publications, including the creation of high-quality figures and associated texts.

  • Collaborative Skills: Strong interpersonal abilities to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

  • Language Proficiency: Fluency in written and oral English. French is a plus.


 

Your missions & responsibilities



  • Grasp the biological issue and the key questions being asked.

  • Innovative data analysis: Conduct advanced data analysis of multi-omics datasets, integrating biological insights to drive novel discoveries.

  • Data interpretation: Conduct literature review to generate working hypotheses.

  • Collaboration: Work closely with study managers, data scientists, and collaborating teams to define optimal analysis strategies.

  • Tool development: Develop and apply new bioinformatics tools and methodologies as needed to enable comprehensive data mining and analysis.

  • Scientific reporting: Prepare scientific publications, including drafting manuscripts, creating figures, and composing associated texts, to effectively communicate research findings.

  • Documentation: Provide thorough documentation of analytical strategies and procedures to ensure reproducibility and transparency.


Apply now! 


 

banner webinar TLS modulation explicyte
Since 2021, Explicyte has developed a specific expertise in Tertiary Lymphoid Structure (TLS) detection and scoring by digital pathology. Hosted by Alban Bessede, PhD, CEO of Explicyte, this 45-minute webinar dedicated to TLS modulation in cancer immunotherapy will feature 2 presentations:

Tertiary lymphoid structures as modulators of anti-tumor immunity: what do we know and where are we headed?


Tullia C. Bruno, PhD - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center / University of Pittsburgh

Following a PhD thesis on intratumoral T cells at Johns Hopkins in 2010, Tullia Bruno started working on the role of B cells in the TME during her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado Denver. In 2015, she joined the University of Pittsburgh as an Assistant Professor to investigate the role of intratumoral B cell function within TLS in solid tumors. Focused on translational research and the development of novel immunotherapies, she is also a faculty member in the Tumor Microenvironment Center and the Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

Predictive role of TLS for cancer immunotherapy: current insights and perspectives


Pr Antoine Italiano, MD, PhD - Institut Bergonié & Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Centers

Author of 500+ peer-reviewed publications, Pr. Italiano has been the Principal Investigator of 50+ clinical trials over the past 5 years, investigating the resistance mechanisms to cancer immunotherapies in solid tumors. Trained as a medical oncologist in France, he obtained a PhD in Molecular & Cell Biology in 2008. He then joined the laboratory of Cristina Antonescu for a post-doctoral fellowship at the MSKCC (New York, USA). He is currently leading Early Phase Trials and Sarcoma Units at Institut Bergonié (Bordeaux, France) and the head of the Precision Medicine unit at Gustave Roussy (Villejuif, France).

More about Explicyte's capacities for TLS detection & scoring in patient specimens

Register for the webinar

Reshaping the tumor microenvironment of cold soft-tissue sarcomas with oncolytic viral therapy: a phase 2 trial of intratumoral JX-594 combined with avelumab and low-dose cyclophosphamide
In soft tissue sarcomas, the presence of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) is known to increase sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors. In a clinical trial conducted at the Institut Bergonié, Prof. Antoine Italiano and colleagues studied the combination of an oncolytic virus and metronomic chemotherapy with the aim of remodeling the tumor microenvironment of patients with TLS-negative soft-tissue sarcoma, thereby improving their sensitivity to the PD-L1 inhibitor Avelumab.

As part of this study, tumor biopsies and plasma samples were supported and processed by Explicyte teams, for staining and Olink-based proteomics, respectively. Our results confirm that intratumoral administration of the oncolytic virus JX-584 can alter the immune landscape of the tumor microenvironment, potentially converting cold tumors into immunogenic tumors.

Read the article

Faecalibaterium prausnitzii strain EXL01 boosts efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors
We're happy to showcase a collaboration just published in OncoImmunology. Since 2016, French biotech Exeliom Bioscience has been advancing therapeutic programs targeting the gut microbiota in Crohn's disease and various types of cancer, based on the immuno-modulatory bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (oral drug EXL01). In this paper, we supported Exeliom Bioscience in the generation of in vivo and vitro data to decipher the mechanism of action of EXL01.

The in vivo study, based on the MCA205 syngeneic tumor model, demonstrates that oral supplementation with EXL1 restores the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy in animals with antibiotics-induced gut dysbiosis. The subsequent in vitro investigation, based on the MLR assay, showed that the EXL1 strain boosts the activation of both dendritic cells and T cells in the presence of anti-PD-L1 antibody.

Read the paper

Tor geants 2024 explicyte
From the 8th to the 14th of September, Gregory Lebras will run 330km in the Aosta Valley, in Italy. Enlisted for the TOR330 - TOR DES GÉANTS ultra-endurance trail together with 1,100 competitors, this anesthetist nurse at the Institut Bergonié Comprehensive Cancer Center aims to raise funds to support sarcoma research. Over 7 days, he will encourage his audience to make donations to the not-for-profit association "La Course du Petit Prince".

"We actively participate in the RHU Condor, a research consortium that receives funds from "La Course du Petit Prince" for the development of novel immunotherapies against soft-tissue sarcoma. So when we learned about the initiative of Gregory, we felt compelled to be part of it. Gregory is currently running over 10h per week, he's dedicated, fun, and generous. It just clicked. I can tell we are very proud sponsors !" Alban Bessede, CEO of Explicyte.

 

https://youtu.be/ejnRb2Acr3Y?si=qovB7lJ2FTELxqxj

 

Make a donation

2024 ASCO meeting abstract Explicyte
Alban Bessede, CEO of Explicyte, and Antoine Italiano, MD at the Institut Bergonié, were in Chicago in early June at the 2024 ASCO meeting to present a recent piece of research performed in partnership with 3 French Comprehensive Cancer Centers: Institut Gustave Roussy (Paris), Institut Bergonié (Bordeaux), and Institut Claudius Regaud (Toulouse).

In this phase II trial of Regorafenib (anti-VEGFR therapy) combined with avelumab (anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy) in soft-tissue sarcoma patients with cold tumors (TLS-negative), we found a positive effect of this combotherapy in terms of anti-tumor immunity mobilization and 6-month progression-free survival (PFS).

Read abstract

translational research in immuno-oncology cancer immunotherapies
Over the past 5 years, our translational team released major papers in the field of cancer immunotherapy, in collaboration with French oncologists from the Institut Bergonié and Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Here are 5 key papers to highlight what we've learned:




In Clinical Cancer Research (2024): TROP2 is a biomarker of resistance to immune checkpoint inhibition in NSCLC


In patients with advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) treated with PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab, the overexpression of trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (TROP2) is associated with poorer progression-free survival. TROP2High patients are more likely to benefit from a combination of immunotherapy and anti-TROP2 agents.

Technologies used: Plasma Proteomics, Bulk Transcriptomics, Digital Pathology (IF), Spatial Transcriptomics

Read paper




In Clinical Cancer Research (2023): IDO1 is a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC patients with inflamed tumor microenvironment and/or TLS


By analyzing NSCLC tumor samples from 891 patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors or chemotherapy, we evidenced that IDO1 expression was associated with a favorable clinical outcome (ORR, PFS, OS) upon ICI but not chemotherapy. We also demonstrated that IDO1 is overexpressed within inflamed tumors and noticeably in Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS). These results strongly suggest that targeting the immunosuppressive IDO1 enzyme could be beneficial in patients with inflamed tumors.

Technologies used: T-cell Killing Assay, Germinal Center Reaction Assay, Bulk Transcriptomics, Digital Pathology (IHC/IF), Spatial Transcriptomics

Read paper




In Annals of Oncology (2022): Acetaminophen negatively impacts cancer immunotherapy efficacy


Metabolomic analysis of plasma samples collected before cancer patients underwent immunotherapy revealed that the presence of Acetaminophen (APAP) correlates with a limited response to immune checkpoint blockade. This negative impact was validated in two independent prospective cohorts and further strengthened by preclinical evidence, both in vitro and in vivo. Altogether, our findings suggest that the use of Acetaminophen, one of the most widely used drugs, limits cancer immunotherapy efficacy and should be taken with caution.

Technology used: Flow cytometry, Plasma Proteomics, In Vitro Assays, In Vivo Experiments

Read paper




In Nature Cancer (2021): The presence of mature TLS is a predictive biomarker of anti-PD1/PD-L1 axis  blockers efficacy in patients with advanced cancer


We analyzed the presence of Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS) in tumor samples from 328 patients with solid tumors treated with anti-PD1 or anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies. We found that the presence of mature TLS is predictive of improved clinical outcome (objective response, progression-free survival, overall survival).

Technology used: Digital Pathology

Read paper




In Annals of Oncology (2021): Elevated LIF level in serum is a predictive biomarker of resistance to immune checkpoint inhibition


Using Olink-based proteomics, we analyzed the plasma samples of 387 patients with advanced cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. High levels of Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) emerged as indicative of poor clinical outcome. The study identifies LIF as a potential target to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies.

Technology used: Plasma Proteomics

Read paper




 

That's it for now! If you wish to get a full picture of our scientific production, please take a look here.

And if you have a translational research project in mind, let's talk about it. We'll be happy to help.

 
mixed leukocyte reaction assay
Reference: SM0624
Contract type: Full time position, permanent contract
Location: Bordeaux, France

 

You are passionate about the interplay between immune and tumor cells? You have experience with 2D and 3D models? You master flow cytometry and other multiparametric platforms for in vitro analysis? The perspective of testing innovative cancer immunotherapies creates some excitement? Keep reading and apply!


Keep reading and apply!

 

About Explicyte


Explicyte is a preclinical and translational contract research organization specialized in immuno-oncology. Our goal is to assist academics, biotechs, and pharmas in the discovery of novel targets and novel cancer immunotherapies.

With a team of 25, we’re a human-sized company, which brings under the same roof cell biologists, immunologists, in vivo scientists, medical oncologists, and bioinformaticians. Focused on sponsors’ projects, our activity also involves in-house R&D and external collaborations, which led to the publication of 25+ papers in high-impact-factor journals.

Based in Bordeaux, our lab is located at the Bergonié Comprehensive Cancer Center, where we work in close contact with medical oncology teams. We believe Explicyte is a place to learn, grow, and have impact in the fight against cancer.

More about us

 

Your position


To strengthen and expand our in vitro team and activities, we are looking for an experienced in vitro Immuno-Oncology Scientist, ready to take up with us the setup of new in vitro platforms and assays, relevant for the testing and development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies.

In your role, you will be responsible for the technical and organizational management of sponsors’ and in-house R&D in vitro studies, from their implementation and performance to data analysis. You will timeously provide deliverables with respect to the project’s requirements and timelines.

You will interact closely with the in vitro team members, and will report to study directors and to the CSO.

What you will find at Explicyte

 

Your skills & traits



  • Ph.D - or equivalent - in science and health-related field

  • Minimum 2 years of experience in preclinical development in the health industry: Pharma, Biotech, CRO…

  • Broad understanding of tumor immunology and/or cancer therapies

  • Expertise in cell culture protocols (eg. 2D, 3D, immune/tumor cell co-cultures, immune cell isolation and cultivation, differentiation and polarization protocols)

  • Mastery of multiparametric analysis methodologies, mainly in flow cytometry

  • Project management experience (from planning to closing projects)

  • Excellent diligence

  • Strong interpersonal & organizational skills

  • Ability to easily adapt to changing priorities and challenges

  • Enthusiasm, curiosity, and integrity


 

Your missions & responsibilities



  • Provide draft protocols according to the proposed scientific and experimental strategies

  • Implement studies - relying on undeniable organizational skills - according to their design and established schedules

  • Manage and perform - diligently - in vitro and ex-vivo experiments

  • Cell culture-based experiments for functional immuno-oncology assays: with human and rodent cell origins, with tumor and/or immune cells (PBMCs, T cells, macrophages, tumor-infiltrating leukocytes…), and requiring immune cell isolation and cultivation, differentiation, polarization, etc

  • 3D approaches: spheroids, organoids, and patient-derived tumor samples and their use in preclinical research and therapeutic assessment

  • Ex vivo processing of collected samples for immune or tumor cell isolation, or for further analyses (FACS, ELISA…)

  • Capture, analyze and compile data, including quality controls

  • Ensure accuracy and completeness of study documentation and timely provide study deliverables

  • Write internal protocols and standard operating procedures

  • Contribute to experimental development by implementing new methods and training other collaborators and team’s members


 

Apply now! 


 

SITC 2024
Imane Nafia, Chief Scientific Officer at Explicyte, will attend the 39th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer - SITC (Houston USA, November 6-10, 2024) to share some new developments and translational research work. Her abstract title:

Ovarian cancer ascites exhibit an impaired immune environment - immunosuppressive & protumoral – detrimental to the immune response
in vivo efficacy studies syngeneic tumor models CRO services
Reference: SM0524
Contract type: Full time position, permanent contract
Location: Bordeaux, France

 

You’re an accredited animal experimentalist with a passion for immune response mechanisms? You have experience with in vivo models for immuno-oncology? You master flow cytometry and other platforms for ex vivo analysis? The perspective of testing innovative cancer immunotherapies creates some excitement?


Keep reading and apply!

 

About Explicyte


Explicyte is a preclinical and translational contract research organization specialized in immuno-oncology. Our goal is to assist academics, biotechs, and pharmas in the discovery of novel targets and novel cancer immunotherapies.

With a team of 25, we’re a human-sized company, which brings under the same roof cell biologists, immunologists, in vivo scientists, medical oncologists, and bioinformaticians. Focused on sponsors’ projects, our activity also involves in-house R&D and external collaborations, which led to the publication of 25+ papers in high-impact-factor journals.

Based in Bordeaux, our lab is located at the Bergonié Comprehensive Cancer Center, where we work in close contact with medical oncology teams. We believe Explicyte is a place to learn, grow, and have impact in the fight against cancer.

More about us

 

Your position


To strengthen our in vivo preclinical activities, we are looking for an experienced in vivo Immuno-Oncology Study Manager, ready to take up with us the implementation of projects and their protocols, relevant for the testing and development of novel immunotherapeutic modalities.

In your role, you will be responsible for the technical and organizational management of sponsors’ and in-house R&D in vivo studies, from their implementation and performance to data analysis. You will timeously provide deliverables with respect to the project’s requirements and timelines.

You will closely interact with the in vivo team members. You will report to the Study Directors and CSO.

What you will find at Explicyte

 

Your skills & traits



  • Ph.D - or equivalent - in science and health-related field

  • •Accreditation in animal experimentation level 1/2 is mandatory, ethical standards and regulations

  • Deep knowledge and mastery of preclinical tumor-bearing mouse models

  • Expertise in tissue collection and processing for flow cytometry-based analysis

  • •Knowledge in the fields of tumor immunology and cancer therapies

  • •Minimum 1-2 years’ experience in in vivopreclinical development in a health industry: Pharma, Biotech, CRO…

  • Project management experience (from planning to closing projects)

  • Excellent diligence

  • Strong interpersonal & organizational skills

  • Ability to easily adapt to changing priorities and challenges

  • Enthusiasm, curiosity, and integrity


 

Your missions & responsibilities



  • Provide draft protocols according to the proposed scientific and experimental strategies

  • Implement studies - relying on undeniable organizational skills - according to their design and established schedules

  • Manage and perform - diligently - in vivo and ex vivo experiments

  • Tumor cell line culture and maintenance

  • Mastery of anesthesia and surgical gestures

  • Tumor cell inoculation (subcutaneous, intradermic, intracranial, mammary fat pad, intrasplenic, etc.)

  • In vivo monitoring: tumor growth (physical, bioluminescence), body weight and survival, tolerability evaluation

  • Mastery of neuro-oncology related in vivo protocols and models is a plus

  • Treatment administration (oral, intraperitoneal, intravenous, intratumoral)

  • Sampling of biological tissues (blood, tumor, lymph nodes, organs)

  • Ex vivo processing of collected samples for immune or tumor cell isolation, or for further analyses (FACS, ELISA…)

  • Capture, analyze and compile data, including quality controls

  • Ensure accuracy and completeness of study documentation and timely provide study deliverables

  • Write and submit animal referrals for ethical committee approval

  • Write internal protocols and standard operating procedures


 

Apply now! 


 

TROP2 lung cancer
New paper in Clinical Cancer Research!  The result of a joint work between Bergonié Institute, Gustave Roussy Institute and Explicyte.

Relying on precious patient samples and cutting-edge technologies, the teams involved discovered that Trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2), well-known as an attractive target for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)-based therapy, is a strong predictor of resistance to immunotherapy, but not to chemotherapy, in patients with advanced lung cancer.

Pr. Antoine Italiano (Bergonié and Gustave Roussy Institutes) supervised the entire study, which follows on previous research on tertiary lymphoid structures (more here). He shares his views on this outstanding work.

Read the article here, entitled “TROP2 is associated with primary resistance to immune checkpoint inhibition in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer”.

 

Why is TROP2 getting so much attention today?

Pr. Italiano: TROP2 emerges as a pivotal player in the realm of cancer research and therapy due to its overexpression in various cancer types (breast, lung, etc.). This high expression positions TROP2 as a promising biomarker for cancer detection but also as a prime target for therapeutic intervention.

The compelling narrative surrounding TROP2 is gaining further strength with the positive results of numerous studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of ADCs specifically designed to target TROP2. Tangible results have been achieved in breast, urothelial, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These studies validate TROP2 targeting as a robust and successful strategy in the ongoing pursuit of effective cancer therapies.

In light of these substantial findings, TROP2 emerges as a beacon of hope and a focal point for future advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

 

What is the main result of your study? Can you comment on the link between TROP2 expression and the tumor microenvironment characteristics?

Pr. Italiano: The reason for the TROP2 upregulation in cancer cells remains unclear; however, it is postulated that TROP2 plays a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation and invasion. This suggests that its overexpression could selectively drive tumor progression. Notably, preclinical data support this hypothesis, demonstrating that TROP2 overexpression stimulates tumor growth, while TROP2 knockdown inhibits it.

Moreover, preclinical findings indicated that surface expression of TROP2 in lung cancer cells could impact the functionality of cancer cell reactive T cells, leading to apoptosis of CD8+ T cells. Intrigued by these observations, we sought to investigate the influence of TROP2 expression on treatment outcomes of NSCLC patients undergoing immunotherapy.

Our analysis of large independent patient cohorts revealed an association between TROP2 overexpression, NSCLC microenvironment, and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Specifically, NSCLC with low TROP2 expression had the highest abundance of immune cells, including T cells, cytotoxic lymphocytes, and B cells. Conversely, high expression of TROP2 was linked to primary resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. To our knowledge, this study represents the first correlation between TROP2 expression levels, tumor microenvironment, and patient outcomes.

 

What is the impact of this research on the clinical development of TROP2 ADC candidates?

Pr. Italiano: TROP2 targeting appears to be a very promising therapeutic strategy for patients with advanced NSCLC. Compelling results from the reference study (TROPION-Lung01) Phase III trial show the effectiveness of the main TROP2 ADC (Datopotamab deruxtecan, Dato-DXd) compared to Docetaxel, the current standard of care in chemotherapy, in NSCLC patients treated with at least one prior line of therapy.

Recent data indicate that combining TROP2 targeting with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition yields promising responses and presents no new safety signals in patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic NSCLC lacking actionable genomic alterations.

Building on our results, we hypothesize that patients most likely to benefit from this therapeutic strategy are those with high TROP2 expression. Notably, our finding of a strong correlation between circulating levels of TROP2 and its expression by tumor cells suggests that selection of these patients can be achieved non-invasively through a simple blood test.

This groundbreaking approach not only strengthens the potential of TROP2 as a key therapeutic target, but also introduces a practical and accessible method of patient stratification, paving the way for personalized and effective treatments at the forefront of NSCLC management.

 

How did Explicyte contribute to this major discovery?     

Pr. Italiano: The collaboration with Explicyte teams played a pivotal role in the success of this study. Explicyte offers a unique and comprehensive immuno-oncology platform, seamlessly integrating robust analytical technologies, for groundbreaking testing of cancer immunotherapies. This includes cutting-edge capabilities in gene sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, multiplex immunofluorescence, plasma proteomics, and more.

Explicyte being installed within Bergonié Institute, this proximity allows our clinical and research teams to foster close collaborations with them. Undeniably, this proximity favors a synergistic approach to advance our understanding of cancer immunotherapies and translate these findings into meaningful clinical applications. The invaluable contributions offered by these collaborative efforts underscore the strength of our partnership in driving innovative advances in the field of immuno-oncology.

 

What are the remaining challenges to radically change the outcome of NSCLC?

Pr. Italiano: NSCLC poses a myriad of challenges due to its heterogeneous nature. A significant breakthrough lies in the development and validation of a platinum-free first-line regimen for patients with advanced NSCLC, free of adverse effects.

Our results present a compelling proposition in this regard. Combining TROP2 ADC with immune checkpoint inhibitors emerges as a promising strategy, while introducing a paradigm shift in how we approach the treatment of advanced NSCLC. To the extent that it eliminates platinum from the therapeutic landscape, it holds the promise of significantly improving the quality of life of patients facing this complex and demanding disease.
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