This suggests that current immunotherapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors, may not be effective for children, as their immune cells are often not sufficiently activated to target tumors.

Findings indicated that children's tumors are generally less inflammatory and possess fewer mutations, resulting in a weaker immune response when compared to adult cancers.

As a result, children may require alternative immunotherapies that specifically stimulate their immune cells to effectively attack tumors from the outset.

The researchers monitored immune responses over time, noting changes in killer T cell populations, which could inform tailored treatment strategies for individual patients.

A recent study conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital in Sweden has revealed significant age-dependent differences in how children's immune systems respond to cancer compared to adults.

The research involved 191 children aged 0 to 18 who were diagnosed with solid tumors between 2018 and 2024, analyzing tumor tissue and blood samples to assess genetic mutations and immune system activity.

This research introduces a new dimension to precision medicine by characterizing the immune system alongside tumor properties, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches.

Professor Petter Brodin highlighted the importance of understanding immune activation in children to enhance treatment for childhood cancers, marking a new focus on the immune system in precision medicine.

The study received support from several foundations and institutions, including the Swedish Cancer Society and the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation.

The study was led by Professor Brodin and Linda Ljungblad, in collaboration with the pediatric oncology clinic at the Karolinska University Hospital, and underscores the necessity for larger-scale testing of these findings in clinical practice.

It is worth noting that Brodin and some co-authors are involved with several biotechnology companies, which may influence their research perspectives.