Lunit, a South Korean health tech company, is making significant strides in the realm of oncology through its innovative AI-based pathology tools. At the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) congress from October 17-21, 2025, Lunit is showcasing its SCOPE IO platform, which has exhibited potential in predicting immunotherapy responses across various cancer types. As immunotherapy continues to evolve as a treatment modality, understanding which patients are likely to benefit from these therapies is becoming increasingly essential.
The Role of AI in Predicting Immunotherapy Responses
Lunit SCOPE IO is designed to generate biomarkers that stratify patients based on their predicted response to immunotherapy. This tool utilizes advanced algorithms to analyze histological images and identify specific features that may indicate how well a patient will respond to treatments like immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
At ESMO 2025, Lunit presented data from three pivotal clinical trials: AtezoTRIBE, AVETRIC, and a collaborative study with Yonsei University Colleges of Medicine. These trials demonstrate the applicability of the SCOPE IO platform in different cancer types, particularly in colorectal cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and lung cancer.
Key Findings from ESMO 2025
AtezoTRIBE Trial: Conducted at the University of Pisa, this trial focused on patients with proficient mismatch repair metastatic colorectal cancer (pMMR mCRC). Using SCOPE IO, patients were categorized into "biomarker-high" and "biomarker-low" groups. The results indicated that biomarker-high patients who received atezolizumab combined with FOLFOXIRI/bevacizumab exhibited significantly extended progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to their biomarker-low counterparts.
AVETRIC Trial: Similar methodologies were employed in the AVETRIC trial, where SCOPE IO once again effectively distinguished patients based on predicted response to ICIs. Those classified as biomarker-high demonstrated better survival outcomes, underlining the AI platform’s potential in clinical decision-making, allowing for personalized treatment approaches.
Renal Cell Carcinoma Study: In collaboration with Yonsei University, Lunit investigated the predictive capacity of immune phenotypes using SCOPE IO in patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Here, the classification of tumors as inflamed or non-inflamed based on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) revealed that inflamed tumors were associated with significantly enhanced responses to nivolumab plus ipilimumab over sunitinib, highlighting the importance of tumor microenvironments in guiding treatment choices.
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Findings: In a separate collaboration with Japan’s National Cancer Center Hospital East, SCOPE IO was employed to assess treatment response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Tumors classified as inflamed showed markedly improved responses to immunotherapy, reinforcing the tool’s versatility across different cancer types and therapies.
Implications for Personalized Cancer Care
The implications of these findings are critical, particularly as healthcare systems seek to implement more personalized medicine strategies. The ability to identify specific patient groups that are more likely to benefit from particular treatment regimens can lead to improved outcomes and reduced unnecessary side effects from ineffective therapies. As Lunit’s CEO Brandon Suh noted, these findings underscore the potential of AI in creating a more precise cancer care ecosystem, advocating for a shift towards individualized treatment plans.
Collaboration with Microsoft
In June, Lunit announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft, aimed at facilitating the integration of its AI diagnostics into clinical practice. This collaboration is expected to enhance the technological infrastructure supporting the application of Lunit’s tools, ensuring that predictive analytics can be used efficiently in real-world settings. By combining Lunit’s expertise in cancer pathology with Microsoft’s advanced technology, the two entities are set to pave the way for innovative solutions that can transform cancer treatment.
The Future of AI in Oncology
As the landscape of cancer therapy continues to evolve, incorporating AI-driven tools like SCOPE IO will likely become integral to clinical practice. As data accumulates from ongoing and future studies, the potential for the AI platform to refine and optimize treatment selection becomes increasingly parameterized. The insights gleaned from various trials reinforce the concept of treating cancer as a heterogeneous disease that requires tailored therapeutic strategies.
Moreover, the expanding role of AI can alleviate the burden on oncologists by providing them with meaningful data that supports clinical decision-making. As technology advances, the convergence of AI and medicine may lead to a paradigm shift in how oncologists approach patient care.
Conclusion
The promises and possibilities presented by Lunit’s SCOPE IO at ESMO 2025 are indicative of a broader movement towards utilizing AI in medicine. As companies like Lunit venture into the complexities of cancer treatment with AI tools, the hope is that these innovations will not only optimize ongoing care but also improve overall patient outcomes. The ongoing collaborations and research in this space signal a progressive and collaborative approach to oncology, with patient-centered strategies at the core of its mission.
The journey of integrating AI into cancer treatment is just beginning, but initiatives like Lunit’s are paving the way for a more intelligent and responsive healthcare system that prioritizes understanding patient-specific needs in the fight against cancer. For clinicians and patients alike, the future looks promising, as we inch closer to truly personalized immunotherapy solutions.
