The response of circulating effector CD4 T cells to type I interferons (IFN-I) correlates with the overall survival of patients with cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibition. IFN-I responsiveness is already epigenetically encoded before treatment initiation, highlighting a deterministic, clinically relevant feature that can predict therapeutic efficacy.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals
Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription
$29.99 / 30 days
cancel any time
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$209.00 per year
only $17.42 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Gellrich, F. F. et al. Anti-PD-1 and novel combinations in the treatment of melanoma–an update. J. Clin. Med. 9, 223 (2020). This paper reviews different ICI combinations and their response rates across many different clinical trials in patients with metastatic melanoma.
Boukhaled, G. M. et al. Opposing roles of type I interferons in cancer immunity. Annu. Rev. Pathol. 16, 167–198 (2021). A comprehensive review of the diverse roles of IFN-I in cancer cells and tumor immunology.
Benci, J. L. et al. Opposing functions of interferon coordinate adaptive and innate immune response to cancer immune checkpoint blockade. Cell 178, 933–948 (2019). A paper reporting that IFNs exert distinct and opposing functions on tumor and immune cells, limiting tumor cell death.
Ayers, M. et al. IFN-γ-related mRNA profile predicts clinical response to PD-1 blockade. J. Clin. Investig. 127, 2930–2940 (2017). An Article that shows that higher IFN-II response in the tumor positively correlates with patient outcome.
Abdel-Hakeem, M. S. et al. Epigenetic scarring of exhausted T cells hinders memory differentiation upon eliminating chronic antigen stimulation. Nat. Immunol. 22, 1008–1019 (2021). This study demonstrates that exhausted T cells with epigenetic scars fail to develop into functional memory T cells.
Additional information
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
This is a summary of: Boukhaled, G. M. et al. Pre-encoded responsiveness to type I interferon in the peripheral immune system defines outcome of PD1 blockade therapy. Nat. Immunol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-022-01262-7 (2022).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reactivity to type I interferon is key to predict cancer immunotherapy response. Nat Immunol 23, 1146–1147 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-022-01278-z
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-022-01278-z
