City of Hope Launches $23.7M Lung Cancer Trial to Predict Immunotherapy Resistance — City of Hope

Event summary

City of Hope opens a Phase 2 clinical trial (IMMUNO-BIOMAP) to map tumor resistance to immunotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
$23.7 million ARPA-H grant funds the six-year study aiming to enroll 535 patients.
Trial will use predictive models and biomarker analysis to tailor treatments for evolving tumor biology.
Research focuses on circulating tumor DNA to develop strategies for overcoming immunotherapy resistance.

The big picture

This trial represents a strategic push into precision oncology, aligning with ARPA-H's $142 million ADAPT program to integrate advanced technologies with tumor biology expertise. The study addresses a critical gap in immunotherapy—only 40% of NSCLC patients respond positively—and could establish new standards for treatment personalization. Success would position City of Hope as a leader in adaptive cancer care models.

What we're watching

Trial Execution: Whether City of Hope can meet its ambitious enrollment target of 535 patients across nearly 40 clinical sites.
Biomarker Validation: How effectively the trial's predictive models identify patients likely to develop immunotherapy resistance.
Therapeutic Impact: The pace at which biomarker-guided second-line therapies improve outcomes for NSCLC patients with specific genetic mutations.