On November 18, 2021 Biodesix, Inc. (Nasdaq: BDSX), a leading data-driven diagnostic solutions company with a focus in lung disease, reported that new interim data published from the large multi-center observational registry study INSIGHT (Clinical Effectiveness Assessment of VeriStrat Testing and Validation of Immunotherapy Tests in NSCLC Subjects) (NCT03289780) utilizing its novel predictive and prognostic blood-based host immune classifier (the VeriStrat test) to stratify Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) treatment response in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) (Press release, Biodesix, NOV 18, 2021, View Source [SID1234595802]). The study, titled "Real-world performance of blood-based proteomic profiling in first-line immunotherapy treatment in advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer," was published in the Journal of Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) (JITC) and can be viewed here.
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Results from the prespecified INSIGHT interim analysis of approximately 2,000 patients with at least one year of follow up showed that patients classified by VeriStrat as host immune classifier hot (HIC-Hot) had better outcomes, on average living 2-3 times longer when compared to patients classified by VeriStrat as HIC-Cold. A classification of HIC-H, also known as VeriStrat Good, implies that the normal tumor-directed immunity is active and patients are potentially responsive to therapies that boost immune response. HIC "cold" classification, also known as VeriStrat Poor, correlates to what experts refer to as an "immune desert," where tumor-directed immunity is compromised. Results additionally suggest that HIC-C (Veristrat Poor) patients should not be treated with single-agent ICI therapy regardless of their PD-L1 expressions.
"Inflammatory biomarker-driven treatment selection of immunotherapy in lung cancer may further improve upon the already astounding results noted with immunotherapy," said Wallace Akerley, M.D., of Huntsman Cancer Institute. "Further, observational studies, like INSIGHT, offer physicians valuable information gleaned from the broader population when determining optimal treatment approaches for their patients with NSCLC."
ICI either single agent or in combination with chemotherapy has helped advance the management and long-term survival of those living with advanced NSCLC. However, it’s not easy to know which patients will experience a favorable response to the various standard of care therapies. There are complex interactions between cancer and the patient’s immune system and this data suggests that using an HIC test alongside PD-L1 results and other clinical factors may help inform treatment response and improve outcomes.
"Biodesix is committed to supporting the lung cancer community by discovering, developing and commercializing proteomic tests while conducting supportive studies that aim to strategically inform patient treatment for better outcomes," said Scott Hutton, CEO of Biodesix. "This new INSIGHT Study data demonstrate how our host immune classifier test, VeriStrat, provides valuable information that can help healthcare professionals make informed decisions when evaluating immunotherapy against the increasingly complex treatment landscape for their patients with NSCLC."