Tumor Biomarker for Prognosis of Response to Immunotherapy

Whole-exome sequencing of tumor samples identified a subset of tumors with a disproportionally large number of somatic mutations.
This hypermutator phenotype is due to somatic mutation in DNA Polymerase epsilon (PolE).
Tumors with this phenotype and PolE mutation are highly immunogenic (see figure).
Sequencing of tumor PolE for somatic mutation is an efficient way to select patients who will best respond to immunotherapy.
A patent application has been filed.