Jennifer Frahm, Director of Global Field Applications at Standard Biotools, stated that the effectiveness of immunotherapy varies significantly depending on the disease, the type of immunotherapy, and the patient population. Unfortunately, immunotherapy does not have the best track record, with overall average response rates typically ranging from 20 to 40%.
To address this, Frahm suggested that we need to identify biomarkers to stratify patients better. The tools on offer at Standard Biotools use advanced proteomics and multiomics solutions to enable groundbreaking discoveries with unmatched precision and scalability. The imaging mass cytometry workflow is similar to traditional immunohistochemistry, and the new MCD Smart Viewer software facilitates rapid data analysis and identification of phenotypes and spatial relationships.
The success of these technologies is attributed to their ability to capture a wide range of phenotypes and cellular functions. The Hyperion Imaging mass cytometry platform captures a wide dynamic range of protein expression. This capability enables researchers to better understand today’s mechanisms of action for the treatment and capture the heterogeneity present.
Frahm briefly presented a case study from Yale University that examined HER2 expression, which found an association with the HER2 extracellular domain and response, and they also found a localisation of CD8 positive T cells with the HER2 extracellular domain. With 80 biomarkers they captured the heterogeneity and imaging mass cytometry also enabled them to capture the full dynamic range and precisely quantify these relationships.
Another project analysing the effect of atezolizumab on triple-negative breast cancer used mass cytometry to characterise the tumour microenvironment using a 43-marker panel. Frahm posited that the size of the panel helped the scientists uncover the immune predictors of response. In the Phase II clinical trial, the researchers investigated the potential of a combination therapy which increased median overall survival to 14.7 months. Frahm said: “The imaging mass cytometry and CyTOF technology together identified a correlation of response to CD8 positive T cells.”
Combining spatial transcriptomics with imaging mass cytometry is becoming trendier in the world of precision medicine. For example, using imaging mass cytometry with other technologies like SOMA scan and spatial transcriptomics improves predictive power compared to the current standard of care.
