Changes in AXL and/or MITF melanoma subpopulations in patients receiving immunotherapy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tumor heterogeneity is a hurdle to effective therapy, as illustrated by the 'mixed responses' frequently seen in immunotherapy-treated patients. Previously, AXL+ tumor cells were identified to be highly resistant to targeted therapy, whereas more differentiated MITF+ tumor cells do respond to RAF and MEK inhibitors.

Patients and methods

In this study, we analyzed tumor heterogeneity and explored the presence of the previously described AXL+ or MITF+ melanoma subpopulations in metastatic tissues by NanoString gene expression analysis, single-cell RNA sequencing and in situ multiplex immunofluorescence. Furthermore, we analyzed how these subpopulations correlate with immunological pressure and response to immunotherapy by immunomodulating antibodies or autolo

SUBMITTER: Willemsen M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11652950 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature