A groundbreaking study from researchers at University College London (UCL) and the Francis Crick Institute has unveiled a novel technique that links immune cell counts in blood to cancer survival rates. Using Immune Lymphocyte Estimation from Nucleotide Sequencing (ImmuneLENS), scientists can now analyze whole genome sequencing data to estimate T and B cell proportions, revealing significant correlations between immune cell levels and patient outcomes.

Unveiling the Power of Immune Cells in Blood

The innovative tool, ImmuneLENS, enables researchers to assess immune cell composition through whole genome sequencing. By analyzing over 90,000 samples from the 100,000 Genomes Project, the team discovered that cancer patients have fewer circulating T cells compared to healthy individuals. Higher T cell proportions correlate with a 47% reduction in mortality over five years post-surgery, independent of age, cancer stage, and type. This finding suggests that immune cell levels in blood could be a critical predictor of cancer prognosis.

Traditionally, immune system analysis has focused on tumor environments. However, this new method shifts focus to immune cells in the bloodstream, offering fresh insights into cancer survival. The ability to quantify immune cells using existing genetic data opens avenues for early detection and personalized treatment strategies. Researchers noted that male patients showed more pronounced immune cell depletion than females, though the reasons remain unclear. Additionally, individuals who later developed cancer had lower-than-average B cell counts even before diagnosis, hinting at potential early indicators of disease.

Implications for Future Cancer Research and Treatment

The integration of ImmuneLENS into clinical diagnostics promises enhanced treatment planning. Immune cell data can inform clinicians about the best therapeutic approaches for each patient. Specifically, B cells producing IgM/D antibodies were linked to improved survival outcomes, indicating their potential as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. This discovery paves the way for more accurate predictions of patient responses to immunotherapy, an area where current standard genomic tests fall short.

Further research will explore how these findings can be translated into clinical practice. The CRUK-funded Biomarker Project Award supports ongoing work to incorporate immune cell markers into routine testing. Dr. Nisharnthi Duggan from Cancer Research UK emphasized the potential of using patient data to deepen our understanding of cancer and improve treatment personalization. As part of the TRACERx project, this research leverages data from the 100,000 Genomes Project, managed by Genomics England, to advance our knowledge of systemic immune dysregulation in aging and cancer.