The forecasting tool assesses multiple patient-specific biological and clinical factors to predict the degree of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors and survival outcomes. It markedly outperforms individual biomarkers or other combinations of variables developed so far, according to findings published in Nature Biotechnology. With further validation, the tool may help oncologists better identify patients most likely to benefit from ICB. Discerning, prior to treatment, patients for whom ICB would be ineffective could reduce unnecessary expense and exposure to potential side effects. It could also indicate the need to pursue alternate treatment strategies, such as combination therapies. "It's important to know which treatment modalities patients are most suited for," said Dr. Chan, director of Cleveland Clinic's Center for Immunotherapy & Precision Immuno-Oncology.