--- title: "AACR 2019 Day Three: Understanding T-cell Therapy for Unique Cancer Mutations" description: Today was a day of phenomenal presentations at the AACR Annual Meeting. I am struggling to choose just one to tell you about because I attended multiple inspiring, thought-provoking, and even entertaining talks today. I decided to report on the plenary presentation by Steven A. Rosenberg entitled “T-cell therapy targeting unique cancer mutations” because I think this story has the most potential to positively impact patient outcomes. image: https://blog.seracare.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/T-cell%20.jpeg --- ![logo](https://seracare.com/Content/themes/Skin_Default/images/lgc_logo.png) SeraCare is part of LGC Clinical Diagnostics - [Learn More](https://www.lgcclinicaldiagnostics.com/) [![SeraCare](https://blog.seracare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/0.%20Logos/SeraCare/SeraCare.png?width=400&name=SeraCare.png "SeraCare")](https://www.seracare.com) - [Home](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs) - [About](https://digital.seracare.com/about-blog) - [News and Events](http://www.seracare.com/NewsEvents/NewsCenter/tabid/354/Default.aspx) - [Contact](http://www.seracare.com/Contact/tabid/366/Default.aspx) ## [Diagnostic Precision](https://blog.seracare.com/) A SeraCare blog focused on precision medicine and advanced clinical diagnostics Choose your Article Focus | [All](https://blog.seracare.com/molecular-serology-blog) | [NGS](https://blog.seracare.com/topic/ngs) | [Molecular & Serology](https://blog.seracare.com/molecular-serology-blog/tag/molecular-serology) # AACR 2019 Day Three: Understanding T-cell Therapy for Unique Cancer Mutations Posted by [Catherine Huang, PhD](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/author/catherine-huang-phd) on Apr 4, 2019 12:00:00 AM My third day at the AACR Annual meeting was a day of phenomenal presentations. I am struggling to choose just one to tell you about because I attended multiple inspiring, thought-provoking, and even entertaining talks today. I decided to report on the **[plenary presentation](https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/6812/session/3)** by Steven A. Rosenberg entitled “T-cell therapy targeting unique cancer mutations” because I think this story has the most potential to positively impact patient outcomes. ![T-cell ](https://blog.seracare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/T-cell%20.jpeg?width=300&name=T-cell%20.jpeg)Dr. Rosenberg started his presentation by saying that solid epithelial cancers often don’t respond well to therapy. His team’s approach has been to use adoptive immunotherapy, which utilizes TILs (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes) grown *in vitro* and then transferred back to the patient. The advantage of this method is that you can select with high affinity to cancer antigens and activate the T cells prior to transferring back to the patient. Additionally, you can manipulate the patient host prior to re-infusion by chemotherapy or lymphodepletion. Approximately 55% of patients achieve a durable response to this therapy. Now Dr. Rosenberg’s research has focused on what the TILs actually recognize that enable the destruction of the tumor cells. To activate the TILs, Dr. Rosenberg explained that cancer antigens must be processed into an approximately 9-11 amino acid peptide that fits into the groove of an MHC molecule. So, only a very few cancer mutations will be immunogenic. His lab has surveyed the mutations present in a particular patient, then made all possible combinations of peptides with the mutation. Minigenes encoding these peptides are transfected into antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which are then co-cultured with the patient’s own T cells. They test to see if any of the peptides presented on the surface of the APCs can be recognized by the T cells. Dr. Rosenberg stressed that there was no prediction involved in this work; models generally don’t accurately predict tumor antigens. In this approach, each mutation is empirically tested. The immunogenic mutations identified seemed to be unique to each patient. For example, when they looked at gastrointestinal cancers, they examined mutations from 72 patients and identified 120 immunogenic peptides; only one of which was shared among two patients – none of the mutations identified as immunogenic were driver mutations. This work led the Rosenberg group to pose two hypotheses: first, it is the recognition of random somatic mutations that is the final common pathway explaining cancer regression from immunotherapy, and second, any intracellular protein can potentially be a cancer antigen. There is good news and bad news that comes out of these hypotheses: the good news is virtually all cancers have mutations that can be neoantigens; the bad news is the process to identify these neoantigens must be highly customized for each patient. Ongoing work is attempting to make the process less customized and therefore less labor intensive, so that the therapy can be offered to a greater number of patients. He noted that there are many mutations in driver oncogenes that can be shared among patients. For example, 51% of pancreatic cancer patients have a mutation at glycine 12 of KRAS. Making a KRAS G12 peptide library and preparing APCs for screening could be beneficial to a large portion of pancreatic cancer patients. P53 is a tumor suppressor gene that is also frequently mutated, and the mutations cluster in a limited number of “hotspots” in the gene. Preparing a peptide library for these hotspot regions of the protein could also potentially be a tool applicable for many patients. The selected T cells that are re-infused into the patient can expand 1,000-fold in the days after transfer and persist at low levels indefinitely. Visuals from clinical cases are always very impactful for me, and Dr. Rosenberg showed several images of patients with bodies racked with metastatic lesions that were completely resolved after the adoptive T cell therapy. It was truly awe-inspiring to see how this innovative method was able to completely turn around the prognosis for the sickest patients and restore them to health. I am very hopeful that current work in the Rosenberg lab, and other labs, will continue to refine and make this therapy more widely available. **Don’t miss out on the latest data we presented at AACR on reference standards for TMB, liquid biopsy, NTRK, fusion RNA, and more in the poster sessions.** **[You can download our posters here.](https://www.seracare.com/about-seracare/webinars--events/AACR2019-posters/)** **[![Download Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20300467/7c59b582-b3a9-4f85-8d95-d2ed60883465.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/20300467/7c59b582-b3a9-4f85-8d95-d2ed60883465)** Topics: [cancer](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/cancer), [AACR](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/aacr)     ### Subscribe Here!   [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20300467/538d26d7-6bf8-4208-9dad-6a783db06a0c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/20300467/538d26d7-6bf8-4208-9dad-6a783db06a0c) ### Posts by Tag - [NGS (64)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/ngs) - [reference materials (37)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/reference-materials) - [clinical genomics (30)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/clinical-genomics) - [ctDNA (29)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/ctdna) - [cancer (24)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/cancer) - [SeraSeq (16)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/seraseq) - [cfDNA (14)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/cfdna) - [NIPT (12)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/nipt) - [RNA fusion (11)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/rna-fusion) - [AACR (10)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/aacr) - [AMP (10)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/amp) - [liquid biopsy (10)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/liquid-biopsy) - [FDA (7)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/fda) - [ccfDNA (7)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/ccfdna) - [LDT (6)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/ldt) - [Assay Development (5)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/assay-development) - [Reproductive Health (5)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/reproductive-health) - [Accuplex (4)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/accuplex) - [NTRK (4)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/ntrk) - [Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (4)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/non-invasive-prenatal-testing) - [QC Challenges (4)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/qc-challenges) - [qc management (4)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/qc-management) - [Lung Cancer (3)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/lung-cancer) - [MRD (3)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/mrd) - [New Reference Material (3)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/new-reference-material) - [#Quality (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/quality) - [EGFR (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/egfr) - [Inherited Disease (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/inherited-disease) - [Methylated DNA (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/methylated-dna) - [Minimal Residual Disease (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/minimal-residual-disease) - [Molecular Pathology (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/molecular-pathology) - [PGT (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/pgt) - [QC Management Software (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/qc-management-software) - [TMB (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/tmb) - [Women's health (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/womens-health) - [myeloid cancer reference materials (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/myeloid-cancer-reference-materials) - [ngs validation (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/ngs-validation) - [trisomy (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/trisomy) - [zika virus (2)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/zika-virus) - [BioFidelity (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/biofidelity) - [Breast Cancer (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/breast-cancer) - [COVID-19 (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/covid-19) - [Customer Testimonial (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/customer-testimonial) - [Genomic Testing (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/genomic-testing) - [HIV (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/hiv) - [Immuno-Oncology (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/immuno-oncology) - [PGS (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/pgs) - [PGT-A (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/pgt-a) - [Preimplantation genetic testing (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/preimplantation-genetic-testing) - [QC Reporting (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/qc-reporting) - [QC data management (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/qc-data-management) - [Quality Management Systems (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/quality-management-systems) - [SARS-CoV-2 (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/sars-cov-2) - [bioinformatics (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/bioinformatics) - [laboratory training (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/laboratory-training) - [listeria (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/listeria) - [methylated (1)](https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/tag/methylated) See all ### Recent Posts **About SeraCare** With over 30 years of experience as a leading partner to global in vitro diagnostics manufacturers and clinical testing laboratories, SeraCare’s clinical genomics technologies enable the promise of precision medicine by helping scientists and clinicians build and implement better clinical genomics assays. [Learn More](http://www.seracare.com/Company/WhoWeAre/tabid/335/Default.aspx)    - - - [Privacy Policy](http://www.seracare.com/PrivacyPolicy/tabid/211/Default.aspx)  |  [Legal Statement ](http://www.seracare.com/LegalStatement/tabid/212/Default.aspx) **Learn More** [Home](http://seracare.com/)  [About Us](http://seracare.com/Company/WhoWeAre/tabid/335/Default.aspx) [News and Events](http://www.seracare.com/NewsEvents/NewsCenter/tabid/354/Default.aspx)  [Blog](https://blog.seracare.com/)  [Contact](http://seracare.com/Contact/tabid/366/Default.aspx)  ![LGC+Marine-logo-FINAL-teal](https://blog.seracare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1.%20Logos/LGC+Marine-logo-FINAL-teal.png?width=150&name=LGC+Marine-logo-FINAL-teal.png) 37 Birch Street Milford, MA 01757 [508-244-6400](tel:508-244-6400) l [800-676-1881](tel:800-676-1881) [info@seracare.com](mailto:info@seracare.com) ©2017 SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc. - [About SeraCare](http://www.seracare.com/Company/WhoWeAre/tabid/335/Default.aspx) - [Learn More](http://seracare.com/) - 37 Birch Street Milford, MA 01757 - Google Maps - 508-244-6400 - 508-634-3334 Fax - - - ![logo](https://blog.seracare.com/hubfs/logo.png "logo") 37 Birch Street Milford, MA 01757 508-244-6400 508-634-3334 Fax #### Products #### SeraCare #### Support & Resources - NGS & Digital PCR Tools - Controls & Reference Materials - Validation & Qualification Materials - Plasma & Serum Diluents & Derivatives - Cell Culture Reagents - KPL Antibodies & Conjugates - KPL Immunoassay Reagents & Kits - About Us - Careers - Press Releases - News Articles - Quality Systems - Terms & Conditions - Privacy Policy & Legal Statement - Register for an Account - Contact Us - Sign In - Resource Library - FAQs - Scientific Posters - White Papers - Videos ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Catherine Huang, PhD", "url" : "https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/author/catherine-huang-phd" }, "dateModified" : "2021-10-15T01:23:09.792Z", "datePublished" : "2019-04-04T04:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "AACR 2019 Day Three: Understanding T-cell Therapy for Unique Cancer Mutations", "image" : [ "https://blog.seracare.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/T-cell%20.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.seracare.com/ngs/aacr-2019-day-three-understanding-t-cell-therapy-for-unique-cancer-mutations", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.seracare.com/hubfs/0.%20Logos/SeraCare/SeraCare.png" }, "name" : "LGC Clinical Diagnostics" } } ```