Mitchell Cancer Institute publishes promising immunotherapy research in leading oncology journal

Ahmed Abdalla, M.D., assistant professor of interdisciplinary clinical oncology, is co-author of the study.

By Jessica Jones

Two physician-scientists at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI) — Ahmed Abdalla, M.D., medical oncologist and assistant professor of interdisciplinary clinical oncology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, and Gaurav Sharma, M.D., hematology and oncology fellow — recently published research in ESMO Open, a prestigious journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology. 

The study explores how certain immune markers — particularly PD-L1 — can help guide treatment for a rare but serious form of cancer known as anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC). 

“By uncovering key biomarkers like PD-L1, PIK3CA, and CASP8, our research brings precision medicine one step closer to patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma — offering real hope for better, targeted treatments in a cancer that needs it most,” said Sharma, co-author of the research study. 

Study Highlights 

• The study analyzed more than 1,200 tumor samples from patients with ASCC. 
• It found more than 60% of tumors had high levels of PD-L1, a protein that plays a key role in how tumors interact with the immune system. 
• Tumors with high PD-L1 also showed more active immune environments and specific genetic changes — especially in the PIK3CA and CASP8 genes—that could be targets for future therapies. 
• Patients with PD-L1-positive tumors responded better to immunotherapy, staying on treatment longer compared to those without PD-L1 expression. 

“This study provides one of the most comprehensive genomic analyses of anal squamous cell carcinoma,” said Abdalla, co-author of the research study. “By identifying PD-L1 expression as a potential predictive biomarker for immunotherapy response, we hope to support more personalized treatment strategies in this rare and challenging disease.” 

ESMO is the European Society for Medical Oncology. Representing more than 40,000 oncology professionals in 179 countries and territories, ESMO is a reference for oncology education and information. Founded in 1975, its education and information resources support an integrated multi-professional approach to cancer care, from a medical oncology perspective. 

The study was conducted in collaboration with several academic institutions and published in the June 2025 issue of ESMO Open. 

Learn more about the published research at esmoopen.com.