The research analyzed over 90,000 WGS samples from the 100,000 Genomes Project, which included genomes from both healthy individuals and cancer patients.

The study also found that immune cell proportions in blood decline earlier in cancer patients than in healthy individuals, with notable differences observed between genders.

Interestingly, individuals who were initially deemed healthy but later diagnosed with cancer exhibited below-average B cell levels, suggesting potential early indicators of the disease.

The research highlights the potential for integrating these immune cell markers into existing genetic diagnostic tests, which could aid clinicians in tailoring treatment plans based on immune status.

Future research aims to apply these findings clinically, enhancing personalized treatment approaches for cancer patients, particularly in predicting responses to immunotherapy.

Professor Nicholas McGranahan emphasized that understanding immune cells in blood can provide valuable insights into cancer prognosis, paving the way for new research and treatment avenues.

Dr. Robert Bentham noted that this innovative approach allows for a comprehensive analysis of immune changes, potentially applicable to various medical fields beyond cancer.

A groundbreaking study reveals that cancer patients with higher levels of immune cells in their blood experience better survival rates, providing crucial insights into cancer outcomes.

Findings indicate that cancer patients have a lower proportion of circulating T cells compared to healthy individuals, with higher T cell levels linked to a significant 47% reduction in deaths over five years post-surgery.

Utilizing a novel tool called ImmuneLENS, developed by researchers at UCL and the Francis Crick Institute, the study analyzes immune cell proportions from whole genome sequencing (WGS) data.

ImmuneLENS enables the first-time calculation of T cell and B cell proportions from blood samples, offering a comprehensive genetic profile of individuals.

This study marks a significant shift from previous research that primarily focused on tumor immune environments, now emphasizing the importance of immune cells in the bloodstream for cancer survival predictions.