A new algorithm called PRRDetect could transform cancer treatment by identifying tumours with faulty DNA repair systems, making them more responsive to therapies like immunotherapy. It was developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge and the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre with funding from NIHR and Cancer Research UK.
Using data from Genomics England’s 100,000 Genomes Project, the team analysed DNA from 4,775 tumours across seven cancer types. PRRDetect was trained to recognise patterns of mutations—specifically insertions and deletions—linked to post-replicative repair deficiency (PRRd), a vulnerability that can be targeted in treatment.
The study uncovered 37 distinct mutation patterns, eight of which were tied to PRRd, helping researchers identify patients more likely to benefit from personalised therapies. This work builds on previous cancer genome research by Professor Serena Nik-Zainal and highlights the power of collaboration in accelerating medical innovation.
