BNIP3L Is a New Autophagy Related Prognostic Biomarker for Melanoma Patients Treated With AGI-101H.

BACKGROUND/AIM:Skin melanoma belongs to the most invasive malignancies with no cure for a progressing disease. Personalized therapy would allow for the selection of patients that will benefit from treatment. For this purpose, proper predictive biomarkers must be defined. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Allogeneic whole-cell gene-modified therapeutic melanoma vaccine (AGI-101H) was applied in advanced melanoma patients. Humoral responses were analyzed using SEREX, and in silico gene expression analysis in TCGA melanoma patients was performed. RESULTS:A specific antibody response was raised against an antigen identified as BNIP3L, which correlated with a good prognosis. Moreover, AGI-101H directs an immune response against autophagy, as BNIP3L is a marker of this process. Medium and high expression of BNIP3L was also linked with longer overall survival. CONCLUSION:BNIP3L is a candidate prognostic marker of clinical outcome of melanoma patients treated with AGI-101H, and may be considered as a prediction marker for patient survival.

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