The Challenges of Tumor Mutational Burden as an Immunotherapy Biomarker

• Published in: Cancer cell Vol. 39; no. 2; pp. 154 - 173
• Main Authors: Jardim, Denis L., Goodman, Aaron, de Melo Gagliato, Debora, Kurzrock, Razelle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 08.02.2021
• Subjects: biomarker; Biomarkers, Tumor - genetics; Biomarkers, Tumor - immunology; cancer therapy; genetics; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors - pharmacology; immunotherapy; Immunotherapy - methods; Major Histocompatibility Complex - genetics; Major Histocompatibility Complex - immunology; Mutation - genetics; Mutation - immunology; mutattional load; Neoplasms - genetics; Neoplasms - immunology; Neoplasms - therapy; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; cancer therapy; mutattional load; genetics; biomarker; immunotherapy

Tumor mutational burden (TMB) reflects cancer mutation quantity. Mutations are processed to neo-antigens and presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins to T cells. To evade immune eradication, cancers exploit checkpoints that dampen T cell reactivity. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (...