Application of T cell-based transcriptomics to identify three candidate biomarkers for monitoring anti-TGFβR therapy

Objectives The development of targeted drugs would greatly benefit from the simultaneous identification of biomarkers to determine the aspects of bioactivity, drug safety and efficacy, particularly when affecting receptor-signaling pathways. However, the establishment of appropriate systems to monitor drug-induced events requires an accessible surrogate tissue for functional read out. Methods Therefore we present a universal platform based upon T cell-based gene expression profiling for the identification of biomarkers using the antitransforming growth factor β receptor inhibitor LY2109761 as an example. Results Our initial screen revealed 12 candidate genes specifically regulated in T cells by the inhibitor. In subsequent in-vitro and in-vivo analyses, the combined monitoring of independent gene regulation of three genes was established in peripheral blood mononuclear cells as novel pharmacodynamic candidate biomarkers for antitransforming growth factor β receptor based therapies. Conclusion Overall, the proposed concept of biomarker identification can be easily adapted towards other drug candidates for whom gene regulation can be established in cellular components of peripheral blood.