The REALYSA study aims to improve knowledge about lymphomas and the lives of lymphoma patients. Thanks to the large number of patients involved, it allows sub-studies on specific research questions to be conducted simultaneously. Thus, the data and samples from the REALYSA study contribute to a large study, called ANTICANCER, which aims to better understand the role of certain autoantibodies directed against the immune system in the occurrence of cancers or resistance to cancer treatments, and more particularly in elderly people in whom these autoantibodies are more frequently observed.
Why is this study implemented?
In the 1990s, a series of experiments showed that the immune system is able to fight not only microbes but also tumors, a concept formalized as immunosurveillance. This theory was the starting point for a now very active field of research, known as oncoimmunology, which gave rise to cancer immunotherapies. However, the immune system becomes less effective during aging, and it is likely that some cancers will emerge due to the weakening of immune defenses. In addition, work by the laboratory of JL Casanova (project partner) during the Covid crisis showed that ageing was accompanied by the production of antibodies against interferon (IFN-I), an agent of the immune system essential for antiviral defence. These antibodies are abnormal because they are directed against a self-protein (called autoantibodies) and they compromise the response against the Covid virus (SARS-CoV-2) in patients who produce them. We hypothesize that these antibodies could also contribute to the emergence of cancers: our working hypothesis is that aging is accompanied by the production of autoantibodies against multiple agents of the immune system that are important for the fight against tumors (such as interferon for example), and that this phenomenon could compromise anti-tumor defenses and the natural ability of the immune system to eliminate cancer cells.
What are the objectives of the study ?
The ANTICANCER project aims to better understand the role of these antibodies in the occurrence of cancers or resistance to cancer treatments, especially in the elderly.
The presence of these autoantibodies (anti-IFN-I but also directed against a dozen other agents important for the immune response against tumors) in the blood of patients with different cancers (melanoma, lymphomas, etc.) will be evaluated at the time of diagnosis by innovative analyzes (“multiplex” type). It is also planned to test their neutralizing function and measure their impact on immunity.
How will the study be conducted ?
The study will be based on the analysis of biological samples from patients participating in REALYSA, as well as the analysis of data from medical records and questionnaires already completed by these patients.
This study is coordinated by Dr. Thierry Walzer, Inserm Research Director and head of the “Signal activation and transduction in lymphocytes” team at the International Center for Research in Infectiology (CIRI) and Prof. Stéphane Dalle, Head of Oncodermatology at Lyon Sud Hospital (Hospices Civils de Lyon). Dr. Walzer and the other researchers involved in this study will be able to access data on all patients participating in the REALYSA study. These data will not make it possible to establish a link with the identity of the patients because they are pseudonymized: the name and surname of each person are replaced by a unique number assigned during inclusion in REALYSA. LYSARC and its partners cannot link this number to a patient’s identity.
The realization of this project is financially supported by the ARC Foundation and its call for projects “Cancer and aging 2023” (see press release of May 23, 2023).
The ANTICANCER study is scheduled to start in June 2023 and last 4 years.
For patients participating in REALYSA
What does this study mean for you?
This study potentially involves all patients participating in REALYSA.
If you agree to your data being used for this study, this has no direct implication for you.
In particular, you will not have to answer any additional questionnaire or make any additional deduction compared to what is already provided for in the context of your participation in REALYSA.
What should you do about this study ?
There are two options:
- You are not opposed to the use of your data and samples in the context of this study:
- In this case, you don’t have to do anything
- You wish to object to the use of your data in the context of this study:
- In this case, you must inform the doctor who suggested you participate in the REALYSA study. You can also notify your decision by writing an email to the following address: dpo@lysarc.org.
You will find detailed information about your rights to object to the use of your data on page 12 of the information provided to you when you agreed to participate in REALYSA.