Checkpoint inhibitor treatment biomarkers

Benefits

• One of the first predictors of checkpoint inhibitor treatment outcome
• Improved response rates of current therapies
• Improved uptake of current therapies
• Blood based test

Background

The recent development of checkpoint blockade immunotherapy has revolutionised the treatment of several types of cancer, especially melanoma.

These drugs (known as checkpoint inhibitors) re-invigorate a cancer patient’s immune system, enabling their own T cells to attack their cancer.

For some melanoma patients (~20- 40%), this can result in partial or complete remissions of their cancer. However, the remaining patients may derive only transient benefit from therapy, or none at all. Treatment can also result in severe toxicity in ~15-55% of cases depending on whether combination checkpoint blockade immunotherapy is used (~55% severe adverse event rate).

At present, there is no established approach to predict which patients will respond favourably to treatment.

Technology

A set of blood derived markers and a molecular signature that discriminates responders from non-responders prior to treatment with checkpoint inhibitors, with a high level of accuracy.

Potential markets

The technology has use in the cancer therapeutic and prognostic field and would be beneficial to pharmaceutical companies marketing certain checkpoint inhibitor therapies.

IP status

This technology is protected by an Australian provisional patent.

Partnering opportunities

UniSA Ventures is seeking partners for licensing and co-development opportunities.