RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Immune Resistance Interrogation Study

This research study is about understanding why some people with cancer respond well to immunotherapy at first, but then their cancer starts to grow again (this is called 'acquired resistance'). It also looks at why some people don't respond to immunotherapy at all from the beginning ('primary resistance'). Doctors want to find out if there are differences in the cancer cells' genes, proteins, or how the immune system works in these two groups. This could help create better treatments in the future. If you join, you would have a fresh tumour biopsy, and give blood and stool samples.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University Health Network, Toronto

Enrolment target

100

Start

26 Aug 2020

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2027

Cancer Solid Tumor Metastatic Cancer Immune Resistance

What is this study about?

Imagine your body's immune system as a defence army that protects you from illness. Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps this army fight cancer cells more effectively. While it works really well for some people, for many others, it either doesn't work at all or stops working after a while. This study, called the "Immune Resistance Interrogation Study," aims to find out why this happens.

Researchers are particularly interested in two groups of patients: those whose cancer never responded to immunotherapy (called 'primary resistance') and those whose cancer initially got better but then started to grow again ('acquired resistance'). They believe there might be subtle differences in the cancer cells or in the way the immune system works for these two groups.

By carefully studying samples from patients in both groups – including a fresh biopsy of the tumour, blood samples, and stool samples – scientists hope to uncover these differences. This could involve looking at the genes within the cancer cells, the proteins they make, and how the immune cells behave. The ultimate goal is to use this information to develop new, more effective treatments that can overcome this 'immune resistance' and help more people with cancer.

Key takeaways

This study investigates why immunotherapy stops working for some cancer patients.
It aims to find differences between cancers that never responded and those that stopped responding.
Participation involves a fresh tumour biopsy, blood tests, and a stool sample.
The findings could help develop new cancer treatments.
This is an observational study, so no new treatments are given.

Who may be eligible?

This study is for adults aged 18 or over who have a solid cancer (meaning not a blood cancer) that has spread, and who have previously received a type of immunotherapy called anti-PD1/PD-L1 antibody treatment.

To be eligible, you must have tried immunotherapy as your most recent treatment, and your cancer must have started growing again. You will fall into one of two groups: either your cancer didn't respond well to immunotherapy from the start, or it responded for a while but then started to progress. You should be well enough to receive further cancer treatment, either standard treatments or other clinical trials.

There are also some reasons you might not be able to join. For example, if you have a condition that makes it hard to understand and agree to participate, or if there's a medical reason you can't have a biopsy or give blood samples.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have a solid cancer that has spread?
Have you been treated with anti-PD1/PD-L1 immunotherapy recently?
Has your cancer started growing again after that immunotherapy?
Are you well enough for a biopsy and other cancer treatments?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you would undergo a fresh tumour biopsy. This means a small piece of your cancer would be removed for testing. You would also be asked to provide several blood samples over time, though the total amount drawn would be carefully limited. Additionally, you would need to provide a single stool (poo) sample. If you have any previous tissue samples saved from earlier treatments, these might also be used. There are no new medications given as part of this study; it is purely observational, meaning doctors are collecting information. The total duration of your participation will depend on the study's needs for collecting these samples.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may not directly benefit you, but the information found could help others with cancer in the future by leading to better treatments. Any procedure, like a biopsy or blood test, comes with small risks such as discomfort, bruising, or a minor infection, which your doctors will discuss with you. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a treatment that helps your body’s immune system fight cancer cells more effectively.

What does 'progressed on immunotherapy' mean?

It means your cancer started growing again, either during or after your immunotherapy treatment.

Will I receive new treatment in this study?

No, this study is about collecting samples and information, not about giving new treatments.

What samples will be collected?

You'll have a fresh tumour biopsy, give several blood samples, and one stool sample.

Who is running this study?

This is a research study led by doctors and scientists aiming to understand cancer better.

How to find out more

Celeste Yu

celeste.yu@uhn.ca 416-946-4501 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.