Spanish researchers from Cima State University have come up with a novel immunotherapy mix which improves effectiveness in animals with hepatocellular carcinoma. This is a demonstration of concept that provides the foundation for the implementation of this treatment for patients suffering from the most common liver cancers.
Sandra Sánchez, Ignacio Melero, Carmen Ochoa, Saray Garasa and Álvaro Teijeira, from the Immunology and Immunotherapy Program of the Cima University of Navarra. Cima University of Navarra
In recent years, rate of survival for patients with liver cancer have risen significantly. But, more progress is required to increase its effectiveness and discover biomarkers that can predict the response to treatment. “One of the main objectives in the research of this disease is to have reliable and clinically useful animal models to study new therapies. In collaboration with Dr. Amaia Lujambio’s group at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, we have developed a mouse model using gene transfer from the liver with which we have been able to test new immunotherapy combinations,” says doctor. Ignacio Melero, co-director of the Immunology and Immunotherapy program at the Cima University of Navarra one of Cancer Center Clinica Universidad de Navarra and the director of the research.
The study’s experimental findings have shown that the current immunotherapies used to treat patients only have an effect on this animal model. But, their efficacy is increased when combined with synergistic agents, like anti-CD137 antibody, interleukin 2 or adoptive therapy. “These joint administrations substantially increase the therapeutic outcome. In addition, through advanced confocal microscopy, we have been able to study the antitumor immune response produced in the liver samples,” declares the researcher Dr. Carmen Ochoa, researcher at Cima University of Navarra and the first researcher on the research. The results were published in the prestigious journal Cell Reports Medicine.
Treatment in patients
The Dr. Melero comments that seven years ago, the team of the Clinica Universidad de Navarra was the first to pioneer treating hepatocellular cancer by using immunotherapy. These treatments have completely altered the course of disease in the majority of patients.
Our current research efforts are aimed on increasing the effectiveness of treatments by using synergistic combinations. Our goal is to study the mechanisms involved, and demonstrate the effectiveness as well as the safety benefits of novel treatments in clinical trials conducted with patients.”
Dr. Ignacio Melero, Co-director of Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Cima University of Navarra
The research has been conducted within the context of CIBER of Cancer (CIBERONC) as well as the CIBER of Liver and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD) and has received private and public funds by the Spanish Association Against Cancer, the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research and the Fero Foundation.
