MD Anderson researchers identify B cell role in immunotherapy-related colitis

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a previously unknown role for B cells in triggering and sustaining colitis, a common side effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors used in cancer immunotherapy.

The study, published in Cell Reports, indicates that B cell dysregulation can initiate an inflammatory cascade in patients even before symptoms appear. This finding suggests that changes in circulating B cell activity could serve as a potential blood-based biomarker to identify patients at risk of developing immunotherapy-related colitis.

While immune checkpoint inhibitors have significantly improved outcomes for advanced cancer patients, the resulting side effects, such as severe diarrhea and intestinal bleeding, can often disrupt or necessitate the pausing of treatment. Identifying these early biomarkers may help guide future preventive treatment strategies.