Blood-Based Proteomic Test May Predict Treatment Response in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for most cases. Treatment decisions are often made without a clear indication of how a patient will respond, while immunotherapy can carry substantial costs. A new study shows that proteomic analysis of a single blood sample may help predict treatment response and disease progression in NSCLC.

University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia) researchers evaluated a blood-based proteomic approach designed to indicate how NSCLC patients are likely to respond to treatment. The method centers on comprehensive protein profiling of peripheral blood and is intended to inform clinical choices prior to initiating therapy. Findings from the project are published in npj Precision Oncology.

Image: Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe and non-small cell lung cancer cell (Photo courtesy of The University of Queensland)

The approach works by measuring thousands of circulating proteins and then applying statistical modeling to detect signals associated with treatment response and disease progression. By extracting information already present in the bloodstream, the analysis aims to provide an earlier view of tumor biology than would be available from routine clinical assessments. The investigators report that this strategy could support earlier and better-informed decisions about patient management.

The study analyzed blood samples from NSCLC patients at Princess Alexandra Hospital before and after surgery and immunotherapy to track longitudinal changes in protein levels. Signals identified from these data were then validated using an independent testing platform. The team is exploring whether the same framework can be extended to additional cancer types, noting that further research is required before clinical use.

Institutional collaboration included the Queensland Spatial Biology Center, a partnership between the University of Queensland and Wesley Research Institute. According to the authors, routine blood-based monitoring could reduce reliance on repeat invasive procedures as part of ongoing care. The study emphasizes the potential for proteomic data to complement current clinical workflows in NSCLC.

"This is a step towards truly personalized lung cancer care," said Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe, Frazer Institute, University of Queensland. "At the moment, clinicians often have to make treatment decisions without a clear picture of how a patient will respond. What we're showing is that information already exists in the blood."

"Blood-based monitoring would be far less invasive than repeat biopsies and could give us earlier warning of recurrence. That’s a meaningful shift for patients," said Dr. Aaron Kilgallon, Queensland Spatial Biology Center, a collaboration between the University of Queensland and Wesley Research Institute.

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University of Queensland
Wesley Research Institute