Association of HLA-A*03 with response of advanced cancers to ICIs

Predictive biomarkers could allow more precise use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in treating advanced cancers. Given the central rol of HLA molecules in immunity, variation at the HLA loci could differentially affect the response to ICIs. Analysis of clinical outcomes in eight cohorts of patients with various types of advanced cancers found that HLA-A*03 is a predictive biomarker of poor response to ICIs but not to control therapies. The authors conclude that HLA-A*03 carriage could be considered in decisions to initiate ICI in patients with cancer.