New Lung Cancer Test May Predict Immunotherapy Response
A new biomarker test could help patients with non-small cell lung cancer determine if immunotherapy is right for them.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Cancer
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A new clinical validation study suggests that the OncoPrism-NSCLC biomarker test can predict patient response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The findings may eventually provide St. Louis cancer patients with a more precise way to identify who will benefit from immunotherapy.
Why it matters
Currently, determining which patients will respond to immunotherapy is challenging, leading to potentially ineffective treatments for some. By integrating RNA signals from the tumor microenvironment, this test could improve treatment selection for those with non-small cell lung cancer.
In a clinical validation study published in npj Precision Oncology using data from 17 U.S. health care systems, researchers found that patients with high OncoPrism-NSCLC scores saw doubled median overall survival. The test specifically predicts immune checkpoint inhibitor response.
The players
Cofactor Genomics
A St. Louis-based company that develops diagnostic tests using RNA-based biomarker signatures for precision oncology.
The details
The OncoPrism-NSCLC test functions by integrating RNA signals gathered from the tumor-immune microenvironment to predict a patient's sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The researchers calibrated the test specifically for non-small cell lung cancer and found it can identify similar biomarker signatures in five other cancer types. It does not appear to predict response to chemotherapy, meaning it may be best used as a complementary tool to existing PD-L1 testing.
Timeline
October 16, 2026: Cofactor Genomics published the clinical validation study.
Health Landscape
This study expands on data from the PREDAPT clinical trial, which evaluated how RNA-based signatures perform across diverse health systems. It signals a move toward using multi-factor biomarker testing to refine treatment choices beyond single-protein metrics like PD-L1.
If you or a loved one are exploring immunotherapy options for non-small cell lung cancer, ask your oncologist about emerging biomarker tests and how they compare to traditional PD-L1 screening. Discuss whether such tests are appropriate for your specific diagnosis and care plan.
The takeaway
The study suggests that RNA-based biomarkers could offer a significant boost to immunotherapy success rates in lung cancer. Patients should keep track of their PD-L1 status and speak with their physician about new, complementary diagnostics that may help predict response to treatment.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Cancer treatment and precision diagnostics.
More information
View the full results in the study clinical validation publication.
Source note: This article includes information reported by VentureBeat.
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