Comprehensive analysis of fibroblast activation protein expression across 23 tumor indications: insights for biomarker development in cancer immunotherapies

• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1352615
• Publication Date: 2024-03-15T04:31:21Z
• Authors: Sebastian Dziadek; Anton Kraxner; Wei-Yi Cheng; Tai-Hsien Ou Yang; Mike Flores; Noah Theiss; Tsu-Shuen Tsao; Emilia Andersson; Suzana Vega Harring; Ann-Marie E. Bröske; Maurizio Ceppi; Volker Teichgräber; Jehad Charo
• Keywords: Atezolizumab; Mesothelin; Targeted Therapy; Clinical Significance

Introduction Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is predominantly upregulated in various tumor microenvironments and scarcely expressed normal tissues. Methods We analyzed FAP across 1216 tissue samples covering 23 types 70 subtypes. Results Elevated levels were notable breast, pancreatic, esophageal, lung cancers. Using immunohistochemistry RNAseq, a correlation between gene expression was found. Evaluating FAP’s clinical significance, we assessed 29 cohorts from 12 trials, including both mono combination therapies with the PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab chemotherapy. A trend links higher to poorer prognosis, particularly RCC, treatment arms. However, four showed improved survival high FAP, while others, had no apparent impact. Conclusions Our results emphasize multifaceted role therapy response, suggesting its potential as cancer immunotherapy biomarker.