What Is Immuno-oncology?

Immuno-oncology (I/O) is an important cancer treatment utilizing a patient’s immune system to detect and destroy cancerous cells (1). Our immune system has natural surveillance processes that can eliminate potential threats to our health, but it is sometimes not enough. By providing the immune system with external tools that can identify tumors, I/O treatments may recognize and attack such cells that our innate immune system previously missed (1, 2).

At Cerba Research, we have ample experience with a wide range of I/O mechanisms, drug classes, specialty testing, and clinically relevant biomarkers. Get in touch to learn more.

I/O & Checkpoint Inhibition

Cerba Research I/O Services

In the past 5 years, Cerba Research has performed 65+ I/O projects. Most of our projects include specialty testing, such as, but not limited to, PD-L1 detection, tumor mutational burden (TMB), mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) status. Many of these studies were performed in solid tumors, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma, and colorectal cancer (CRC).

Mechanism Of Action (MOA)

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  • Checkpoint inhibitors (CKI)
  • T lymphocyte stimulants
  • Antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity
  • TIGIT protein inhibitors
  • Cereblon E3 ligase
  • CXCR4 antagonists
  • Anti-CTLA4s
  • PD-1 antagonists

Class

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  • Monoclocal antibodies (mAbs)
  • Small molecules
  • Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
  • Prodrugs

55%+ In Solids

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Indications:

  • Solid tumors
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Lymphomas
  • Aggressive B-cell
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)
  • CRC
  • NSCLC
  • Melanoma

75%+ Specialty

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75%+ with specialty testing project type, such as PD-L1 IHC

Histoprofile® PD-L1 panel: PD-L1 (Green), panCK (Red), CD68 (Orange)IHC Validation: PD-L1 (22C3) Pharmdx On NSCLC (Dako Omnis Platform)

IHC Validation: PD-L1 (22C3) Pharmdx On NSCLC (Dako Omnis Platform)

Multiplex NK Cells: CD3 (Red)/CD56 (Orange)/CD16 (Green)

Histoprofile® TReg Light: CD3/CD8/FoxP3

Our Experience In The I/O Landscape

~55%

Of our I/O trials are in solid tumors

~75%

Of I/O trials involve specialty testing

DNA

638

NGS broad-panel assay with our OncoSign 600+

250+

Histopathology analysis with markers such as PD-L1, dMMR, MSI-H run in CLIA accredited laboratories

Our Areas Of Expertise In I/O

Did you know that we can cover your I/O biomarker needs? Check out our mapping exercise by select solid tumor aligned with our Cerba Research offerings (next-generation sequencing (NGS) and IHC) (3, 4). Interested in artificial intelligence (AI) image analysis for your I/O trial? Check out our resources here.

What Are I/0 Biomarkers Guidelines Proposing By Solid Tumor Types? Aligned With Cerba Research Offerings

Select I/O Biomarkers Select Solid Tumor Type (3, 4) Most Commonly Deployed (3, 4) Additional Assay(s) (3) Cerba Research NGS Cerba Research IHC
PD-L1 Bladder, Breast, Head & Neck (H&N), Kidney, Lung, Melanoma, Prostate IHC X (Clones 22C3, SP142, SP263, Multiplexed)
TMB Lung, Breast, Bladder, Cervical, Colon, H&N, Melanoma, Ovarian, Pancreatic, Prostate NGS X
dMMR / MSI-H Breast, Cervical, Colon, H&N, Ovarian, Pancreatic, Prostate NGS, IHC PCR X X

References

1. Finn OJ. Immuno-oncology: understanding the function and dysfunction of the immune system in cancer. Ann Oncol. 2012 Sep;23 Suppl 8(Suppl 8):viii6-9. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mds256. PMID: 22918931; PMCID: PMC4085883.

2. Eggermont A, Finn O. Advances in immuno-oncology. Foreword. Ann Oncol. 2012 Sep;23 Suppl 8:viii5. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mds255. PMID: 22918929.

3. National Comprehensive Cancer Network®: NCCN guidelines, treatment by cancer type. URL [Treatment by Cancer Type (nccn.org)].

4. Yip S, Christofides A, Banerji S, Downes MR, Izevbaye I, Lo B, MacMillan A, McCuaig J, Stockley T, Yousef GM, Spatz A. A Canadian guideline on the use of next-generation sequencing in oncology. Curr Oncol. 2019 Apr;26(2):e241-e254. doi: 10.3747/co.26.4731. Epub 2019 Apr 1. PMID: 31043833; PMCID: PMC6476432.

We recommend starting engagement with our scientific team early, such as at the protocol design phase, for optimal results. Reach out to us here.