LOS ANGELES, July 21, 2026
City of Hope has launched the national Phase 2 IMMUNO-BIOMAP clinical trial to better predict which patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) will benefit from immunotherapy and identify the most effective treatment options after resistance develops. Backed by an up to $23.7 million award from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), the six-year study will enroll approximately 535 newly diagnosed patients across City of Hope’s nationwide clinical network. Researchers aim to develop biomarker-driven predictive models that enable personalized treatment strategies, reduce exposure to ineffective therapies, and improve long-term outcomes for patients with advanced lung cancer.
Phase 2 Trial Targets Immunotherapy Resistance
The IMMUNO-BIOMAP study focuses on advanced NSCLC, which accounts for approximately 87% of all lung cancer cases. Researchers will monitor how tumors evolve and develop resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-L1 pathway. Using advanced biomarker analysis and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) monitoring, investigators aim to predict treatment response and identify patients who may benefit from alternative or combination therapies before disease progression becomes clinically apparent. The trial seeks to establish evidence-based guidelines for selecting the most effective second-line treatments following immunotherapy failure.
Biomarker-Guided Precision Oncology Approach
During the second phase of the trial, investigators will implement personalized treatment strategies based on real-time biomarker data. The research will evaluate how genetic mutations associated with tumor growth influence responses to second-line immunotherapies and combination treatment regimens. By integrating molecular profiling with predictive computational models, the study aims to optimize treatment selection, improve progression-free survival, and reduce unnecessary exposure to therapies that may provide limited clinical benefit while causing significant side effects.
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National Study Supported by ARPA-H Initiative
The IMMUNO-BIOMAP trial is funded through ARPA-H’s Advanced Analysis for Precision Cancer Therapy (ADAPT) program, part of a broader $142 million national initiative focused on precision oncology. City of Hope is the only institution selected to receive ARPA-H funding for lung cancer research under the ADAPT program. The study will leverage nearly 40 clinical sites across the United States to recruit a diverse patient population while generating data that could transform the management of advanced NSCLC through adaptive, biomarker-guided treatment strategies and personalized cancer care.
Source: City of Hope press release
