Multiomic machine learning integration of DNA and RNA features to predict immunotherapy benefit in MSS-CRC and other rare cancers.

2531 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the oncology landscape, yet remain constrained by imprecise predictive biomarkers (i.e., PD-L1, TMB, MSI), which fail to capture the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. The Immune Profile Score (IPS), an AI/machine learning (ML) driven DNA-/RNA-based molecular signature addresses this gap in translational molecular biomarkers of ICI response. IPS integrates TMB, single-gene RNA features and RNA signatures, and was independently validated for prognostic utility in > 1,500 advanced solid tumor patients (pts) treated with FDA-approved ICI. Here we evaluated the ability of IPS to accurately stratify ICI treatment outcomes in two independent cohorts representing traditionally ICI-resistant populations. Methods: From our multimodal real-world database, we used the ML-derived IPS algorithm to analyze two cohorts of high unmet need for which ICI is not approved: 1) microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (MSS CRC); and 2) rare solid cancer as defined by FDA ( < 200,000 cases/year) treated with off-label ICI. Pts were categorized as IPS-H and IPS-L using a previously independently validated and published threshold. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to demonstrate prognostic utility for real-world overall survival (rwOS). Association with time-to-next-treatment (TTNT) on prior chemotherapy (CT) was compared in the same pts to rwOS on subsequent ICI therapy to assess ICI-specific predictive value of IPS . Results: IPS-H consistently identified a subset of pts with improved clinical outcomes across both cohorts. In the MSS-CRC cohort (n = 46): IPS-H pts (6/46 = 13%) had longer rwOS than IPS-L pts (40/46 = 87%) (HR 0.22; 90% CI: 0.04-1.16). No difference was observed in TTNT between IPS-H and IPS-L for prior CT (HR 1.07; 90% CI: 0.60-1.91), while there was improvement in rwOS IPS-H vs IPS-L on subsequent ICI therapy (HR 0.21; 90% CI: 0.04-1.22). In the rare cancer cohort (n = 90): there were 26 solid tumor subtypes without an FDA-approved ICI label; carcinosarcoma (n = 19, 21%) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (n = 17, 19%) were the most commonly represented. IPS-H pts (16/90 = 18%) had longer rwOS than IPS-L pts (HR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.09-0.73). In this rare cancer cohort, IPS remained significant even when restricted to subtypes with representation from both IPS-H and IPS-L (HR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.04-0.69). Conclusions: IPS is a novel multiomic genomic signature that identifies a subset of advanced MSS-CRC and rare solid cancer patients who may benefit from ICI therapy. By integrating multimodal genomic features, IPS emerged as a possible predictive biomarker in a population where ICI is not currently approved. IPS suggests a paradigm shift toward AI/ML-driven signatures to refine ICI candidate selection and personalize clinical decision-making in oncology.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Oncology
Published
2026-05-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.2531
Primary Topic
Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers
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article
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article

Multiomic machine learning integration of DNA and RNA features to predict immunotherapy benefit in MSS-CRC and other rare cancers.

Rossin Erbe, Chithra Sangli, Emmanuel S. Antonarakis, Ben Terdich et al.
Journal of Clinical Oncology
Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers
article

Multiomic machine learning integration of DNA and RNA features to predict immunotherapy benefit in MSS-CRC and other rare cancers.

Rossin Erbe, Chithra Sangli, Emmanuel S. Antonarakis, Ben Terdich, Dana F. DeSantis, Ronan J. Kelly, Victoria L. Chiou, Michelle M. Stein, Kyle A. Beauchamp, Seung Won Hyun, Ailin Jin, Xingyu Zheng, Alia Zander, Halla Nimeiri, Michelle Ting-Lin, Yan Liu, Matthew E. Campbell
article en

Abstract

2531 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the oncology landscape, yet remain constrained by imprecise predictive biomarkers (i.e., PD-L1, TMB, MSI), which fail to capture the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. The Immune Profile Score (IPS), an AI/machine learning (ML) driven DNA-/RNA-based molecular signature addresses this gap in translational molecular biomarkers of ICI response. IPS integrates TMB, single-gene RNA features and RNA signatures, and was independently validated for prognostic utility in > 1,500 advanced solid tumor patients (pts) treated with FDA-approved ICI. Here we evaluated the ability of IPS to accurately stratify ICI treatment outcomes in two independent cohorts representing traditionally ICI-resistant populations. Methods: From our multimodal real-world database, we used the ML-derived IPS algorithm to analyze two cohorts of high unmet need for which ICI is not approved: 1) microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (MSS CRC); and 2) rare solid cancer as defined by FDA ( < 200,000 cases/year) treated with off-label ICI. Pts were categorized as IPS-H and IPS-L using a previously independently validated and published threshold. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to demonstrate prognostic utility for real-world overall survival (rwOS). Association with time-to-next-treatment (TTNT) on prior chemotherapy (CT) was compared in the same pts to rwOS on subsequent ICI therapy to assess ICI-specific predictive value of IPS . Results: IPS-H consistently identified a subset of pts with improved clinical outcomes across both cohorts. In the MSS-CRC cohort (n = 46): IPS-H pts (6/46 = 13%) had longer rwOS than IPS-L pts (40/46 = 87%) (HR 0.22; 90% CI: 0.04-1.16). No difference was observed in TTNT between IPS-H and IPS-L for prior CT (HR 1.07; 90% CI: 0.60-1.91), while there was improvement in rwOS IPS-H vs IPS-L on subsequent ICI therapy (HR 0.21; 90% CI: 0.04-1.22). In the rare cancer cohort (n = 90): there were 26 solid tumor subtypes without an FDA-approved ICI label; carcinosarcoma (n = 19, 21%) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (n = 17, 19%) were the most commonly represented. IPS-H pts (16/90 = 18%) had longer rwOS than IPS-L pts (HR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.09-0.73). In this rare cancer cohort, IPS remained significant even when restricted to subtypes with representation from both IPS-H and IPS-L (HR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.04-0.69). Conclusions: IPS is a novel multiomic genomic signature that identifies a subset of advanced MSS-CRC and rare solid cancer patients who may benefit from ICI therapy. By integrating multimodal genomic features, IPS emerged as a possible predictive biomarker in a population where ICI is not currently approved. IPS suggests a paradigm shift toward AI/ML-driven signatures to refine ICI candidate selection and personalize clinical decision-making in oncology.

Journal of Clinical OncologyVol. 44(16_suppl)
Baylor University Medical Center (US), Twin Cities Orthopedics (US), Tempus Labs (United States) (US), Twin Cities Spine Center (US)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers
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