Researchers at the University of Navarra’s DATAI Institute (Spain) have created an AI-powered tool called the “IFIT score” to personalise cancer immunotherapies by measuring patients’ “immune fitness” at different stages of the disease. The "IFIT score" uses machine learning to analyse immune system activity in over 3,000 lung and urothelial cancer patients, identifying novel genetic markers for each stage of the disease. This means tailored treatments could boost immunotherapy effectiveness.

Presented at the SITC 2024 conference in Houston, this was one of the top 100 presentations. It looks at the Cancer Immunity Cycle (CIC), using AI to understand immune responses and predict treatment outcomes. The study was funded by the Institut Roche and involved an international network of cancer research centres from 10 countries, so it’s a global effort to personalised cancer treatment. 

New research into a chemical produced by a caterpillar fungus that has shown promise as a possible cancer treatment has revealed how it interacts with genes to interrupt cell growth signals. The discovery is an important step towards developing new drugs for the treatment of the disease.

Melanoma accounts for only 1% of skin cancers in the United States but results in the largest number of skin cancer deaths. Investigators evaluated the potential link between the availability and use of tanning beds and the rising rates of melanoma in New England. They found compelling evidence linking tanning bed usage to increased melanoma risk. Their spatial epidemiologic study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, published by Elsevier, provides critical insights to inform public health strategies and reduce melanoma incidence.

Maintaining good health and well-being is crucial for how well patients respond to cancer treatments. Unfortunately, cachexia, or involuntary weight loss, is a major concern for many individuals with advanced cancer. A new study from Japan has revealed that lower cachexia rates, particularly with prevalence less than 40–50%, are linked to shorter overall survival (OS) rates. The study also showed that the diagnostic criteria used for cachexia detection can affect the reported cachexia prevalence.