FCGR3A Variability: Copy Number, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, and Efficacy of immunotherapy

Abstract

In order to develop personalized immunotherapies for diseases like cancer, a key component is to understand the profiles of specific genes that may influence the response to treatment. For example, genes like the Fc gamma receptors (FCGR) are subject to genetic variations that alter the protein product, resulting in differential impact on the degree of response to immunotherapies. Some FCGRs are copy number variable (CNV), while others have single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP); this combination adds complexity to the genotyping process. We adapted reference-query pyrosequencing (RQPS) to simultaneously genotype the SNP and CNV of FCGR3A. After further troubleshooting, we will utilize RQPS to genotype Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) clinical trial patients and delineate the relationship between their genotypes and responses to current immunotherapy treatments in order to help clinicians decide which drugs to prescribe to future patients.