Caris Life Sciences Study Shows Whole Exome Sequencing Improves Tumor Mutational Burden Measurement

A study published by Caris Life Sciences demonstrates that measuring tumor mutational burden (TMB) using ultra-deep Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) significantly improves predictions of pembrolizumab immunotherapy benefits compared to estimates derived from targeted gene panels. The study indicates that targeted panels miscalculate TMB in 10-15% of patients, leading to incorrect treatment eligibility. The findings advocate for the use of WES to accurately identify patients who may benefit from immunotherapy while avoiding unnecessary treatments for those unlikely to respond.