Immunotherapy

A remarkable study describes the first known case of a baby that developed serious side effects after the mother received immunotherapy during pregnancy. Doctors stress that the choice for immunotherapy in pregnant women needs to be carefully considered and that babies need close and long-term follow-up after birth.

By investigating the immunological environment of various cancers and comparing these with patient data, researchers were able to identify a number of crucial T-cell markers that can predict the response on to immunotherapy.

Leuven researchers found a way of predicting whether immunotherapy will catch on in patients with early-stage breast cancer. The tumour tissue of 40 patients was examined before and after a first treatment with anti-PD1 immunotherapy. 1 in 3 patients showed a response.