VHIO researchers use liquid biopsies to develop personalized cancer immunotherapies

Researchers at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) have demonstrated that liquid biopsies using blood samples can identify specific tumor neoantigens and the immune T cells capable of attacking them. This process, published in Cancer Discovery, allows for the development of personalized immunotherapies by analyzing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and immune cells.

Neoantigens are proteins produced by tumor cells that are absent in healthy cells, making them effective targets for immunotherapy. Identifying these proteins helps clinicians understand why certain immunotherapies succeed or fail, potentially leading to safer and more effective customized treatments.