MultiOmics sequencing for CONFIRM clinical trail study
Leveraging adaptive tumour immunity to control mesothelioma via immune checkpoint blockade is now a standard therapeutic approach. However, the determinants of sensitivity remain elusive. Low non-synonymous mutation burden and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, an abundance of immunosuppressive immune cell infiltration, and 9p21 deletion should all mitigate responses to therapy. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized phase III trial of the PD1 inhibitor, nivolumab. After 37.2 months of follow-up, both progression-free and overall survival were longer in nivolumab-treated responders (R) versus non- responders (NR). Blinded whole exome, transcriptome and multiplex immune profiling were used to interrogate R- versus NR-subgroups. Non-synonymous and neoantigen mutation burden were no different between groups, however R- mesotheliomas were infiltrated with activated CD8+ T- and CD19+ B-lymphocytes, organised into tertiary lymphoid structures. B-cell infiltration correlated with pro-inflammatory chemokines including IL24 and CCL19. Conversely, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and mitosis were associated with resistance to nivolumab. These findings illuminate features which can be leveraged to advance precision immunotherapy in this rare cancer setting.