Elucidating IFN-γ gene signatures as predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy response in melanoma

This study will take a two-pronged approach: first, retrospective evaluation of IFN-γ-related genes in melanoma FFPE samples to correlate their expression with treatment outcomes, distinguishing between patients who responded to treatment and those who did not. Second, single-cell RNAseq will be used to understand the role of specific immune cells in IFN-γ-related genes in the tumor microenvironment, providing new insights into cell dynamics in the tumor microenvironment. The results will also be validated in large-scale data sets, including TCGA, confirming the IFN-γ-related gene expression profile as a clinically applicable diagnostic tool. The main goal is to improve patient stratification in melanoma treatment, making the choice between monotherapy and combination therapy more precise. This project will not only improve clinical outcomes in Latvia, but will also establish a basic structure for a diagnostic tool that can be used in the future to refine the choice of immunotherapy for other types of malignant tumors. Within the framework of international cooperation, this research will also contribute to the broader field of tumor immunology and the development of precision medicine at Riga Stradins University (RSU).