Measure modulations of immune checkpoint markers

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a wide selection of ELISA and multiplex immunoassay solutions for immuno-oncology research that enable the measurement of soluble immune checkpoint molecules and other immune-related targets in serum, plasma, and culture supernatant for human and mouse.

Overview of immuno-oncology and immune checkpoint markers

Immuno-oncology is a type of immunotherapy approach that uses the body’s immune system to help battle cancer—a different approach that goes beyond traditional methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Many recent drug development strategies have been to target immune checkpoint markers to enhance anti-tumor immunity. Immune checkpoints are cell pathways important in maintaining a normal immune response and protecting tissues from damage when the immune system is activated (Figure 1). Cancer cells dysregulate immune checkpoints and use them as a mechanism of immune resistance. For example, PD-1 masks cancer cells from T-cell recognition, thereby preventing the attack by T cells.

Cell signaling is a complex communication process to coordinate cell activities. Cell surface receptors respond to the microenvironment and trigger signal transduction cascades within the cell. The targets of such signaling pathways commonly include transcription factors that function to regulate gene expression. Errors in signaling interactions and cellular information processes are responsible for many diseases such as cancer and autoimmunity.

Cytokines are immune cell messengers that stimulate immune effector cells and stromal cells in tumors and also increase the recognition of tumor cells by cytotoxic effector cells. Investigations using animal models have revealed that cytokines display anti-tumor activity, resulting in an increased interest in the use of cytokines as a basis for cancer therapy. Many cytokines, such as GM-CSF, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, and IL-21, are in clinical trials for patients with advanced cancers. Pre-clinical research has focused on being able to neutralize cytokines that act to suppress the immune response, for example IL-10 and TGF-β. Adoptive cell therapy is an approach that makes modification to T cells to focus them on killing tumor cells, while controlling the cytokine response for optimal effect.

Immuno-oncology ELISA kits

Detecting and measuring immune checkpoint markers could be a promising pathway to better develop treatment strategies. For example, CTLA-4 plays a role during the priming of a T cell by an antigen-presenting cell. Blocking of the CTLA-4 receptor by an antibody allows T cell activation, resulting in an anticancer immune response. Correlation has been observed with positive health benefits and elevated levels of quantified soluble CTLA-4 (sCTLA4) concentrations by ELISA in antibody-therapy treated subjects (Figure 2).

Whether you are studying CTLA-4 or other immune checkpoint markers, our ELISA kits provide a specific and sensitive method to measure and monitor these biomarkers in serum, plasma, or cell culture supernatants. Invitrogen ELISA kits for popular targets such as PD-1, CD80, TIM3 etc. are listed in Table 1

Search immuno-oncology ELISA kits

Learn more about ELISA kits and components

Popular immuno-oncology protein targets and ELISA performance data

Table 1. View our ELISA kits for the following popular targets:

Immuno-oncology ProQuantum high sensitivity immunoassays

ProQuantum high-sensitivity immunoassays are designed for easy-to-run, high-performance, protein detection with no proprietary instrument to purchase. Utilizing proximity-based amplification technology, ProQuantum assays offer the analyte specificity of antibody-antigen binding with the signal detection and amplification capabilities of qPCR. ProQuantum assays can also typically detect lower levels of protein with lower sample consumption than traditional methods. This can be particularly important when handling very limited volumes of precious samples from blood or tumor extracts. Limited sample volumes also present a challenge to detect very low levels of protein, but our ProQuantum technology solves that by amplifying the signal beyond the capability of other available methods.

See our selection of sensitive assays for cytokines, which play an important role in immuno-oncology and checkpoint modulation (Table 2). Click below to see our complete selection of assays.

Find cytokine-related ProQuantum assays

Learn more about how the ProQuantum immunoassays work
Read BioProbes Journal article: Introducing ProQuantum High-Sensitivity Immunoassays—The new generation of target-specific protein quantitation

Table 2. Examples of ProQuantum immunoassays for immuno-oncology research*.

Cat. No.CytokinePrimary cell sourcePrimary target cellBiological activity
A428915GM-CSFT cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, mast cellsBone marrow, progenitor cells, DC, macrophages
NKT cells
Promotes antigen presentation, T cell homeostasis, hematopoietic cell growth factor
A35574IL-1Monocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, astrocytesT cells, B cells, endothelial cells, hypothalamus, liverCo-stimulation, cell activation,
inflammation, fever, acute phase reactant
A35603IL-2T cells, NK cellsT cells, NK cells, B cells, monocytesCell growth/activation

A35586

IL-3T cellsBone marrow progenitor cellsCell growth and differentiation
A35587IL-4T cellsT cells, B cellsTh2 differentiation, cell growth/activation, IgE isotype switching
A35588IL-5T cellsB cells, eosinophilsCell growth/activation
A35573IL-6T cells, macrophages, fibroblastsT cells, B cells, liverCo-stimulation, cell growth/activation, acute phase reactant
A35589IL-7Fibroblasts, bone marrow stromal cellsImmature lymphoid, progenitorsT cell survival, proliferation, homeostasis, B cell development
A35575IL-8Macrophages, epithelial cells, plateletsNeutrophilsActivation, chemotaxis
A35590
IL-10Th2 T cellsMacrophages, T cellsInhibits antigen-presenting cells, inhibits cytokine production
A35577IL-12Macrophages, NK cellsT cellsTh1 differentiation
 IL-15MonocytesT cells, NK cellsCell growth/activation, NK cell development, blocks apoptosis
A35613IL-18MacrophagesT cells, NK cells, B cellsCell growth/activation, inflammation
A35593IL-21CD4+ T cells, NKT cellsNK cells, T cells, B cellsCell growth/activation, control of allergic responses and viral infections
 IL-23Antigen-presenting cellsT cells, NK cells, DCChronic inflammation, promotes Th17 cells
A42897IFN-αPlasmacytoid DC, NK cells, T cells, B cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, osteoblastsMacrophages, NK cellsAnti-viral, enhances MHC expression
A35576IFN-γT cells, NK cells, NKT cellsMonocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, tissue cellsCell growth/activation, enhances MHC expression
A42898TGF-βT cells, macrophagesT cellsInhibits cell growth/activation
A35601TNF- αMacrophages, T cellsT cells, B cells, endothelial cells, hypothalamus, liverCo-stimulation, cell activation, inflammation, fever, acute phase reactant

* S. Lee and K. Margolin. Cytokines in Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel), 2011. 3(4): 3856-93.

Immuno-oncology ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassays

Invitrogen ProcartaPlex Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panels allow for the simultaneous detection of up to 38 soluble immune checkpoint molecules and help provide a more comprehensive picture of cancer immunity.

Several checkpoint inhibitors were detected in tumor tissue extracts from mouse using the ProcartaPlex Mouse Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel, 4plex and ProcartaPlex Mouse Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 2, 7plex (Figure 3). We have also measured checkpoint markers in melanoma patient samples using the ProcartaPlex Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 1, 14plex and ProcartaPlex Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 2, 14plex (Figure 4).

Our Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint panels have been specifically designed and optimized for cerebral spinal fluid, serum, and plasma samples (Table 3). Use preconfigured panels below or select from single targets to create your own custom panel to study either human or mouse immune checkpoint biomarkers.

ProcartaPlex Panel Configurator

Learn more about ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassays

Watch these on-demand webinars:


Preconfigured immuno-oncology multiplex immunoassay panels and performance data

graph showing four immune checkpoint inhibitors in mouse

graph showing seven immune checkpoint inhibitors in mouse

Figure 3. Detection of multiple immune checkpoint inhibitors in mouse samples. The ProcartaPlex Mouse Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel, 4plex (top) and ProcartaPlex Mouse Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 2, 7plex (bottom) were tested using homogenized MC38 or TC-1 derived tumor tissue extract from C57BI/6 mice. The tumor tissue was removed at different time points post-treatment. Tissue extracts were homogenized in RIPA Buffer using a proteinase inhibitor. Untreated mice served as control. Differences were observed between the treated vs. control groups, suggesting role of these proteins in tumor progression. Data was provided by our collaborator.

Figure 4. Serum levels of checkpoint markers in melanoma patient samples. The ProcartaPlex Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 1, 14plex and ProcartaPlex Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 2, 14plex were used to measure various checkpoint markers in melanoma patient samples. Results are shown as the mean of ungrouped human samples for all targets of both the panels. Used with permission from Exner R., Sachet M., Arnold T., et al. Prognostic value of HMGB1 in early breast cancer patients under neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Cancer Med, 2016. 5(9): 2350-8.


Table 3. Preconfigured ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassay panels for immuno-oncology.

Human multiplex immune checkpoint panels
Product nameSizeCat. No.
ProcartaPlex Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 1, 14plex

Target list [bead region]: 
Immune stimulatory: CD27 [27], CD28 [15], CD137 (4-1BB) [26], GITR [57], HVEM [36]
Immune inhibitory: BTLA [52], CD80 [61], CD152 (CTLA4) [33], IDO [46], LAG-3 [47], PD-1 [65], PD-L1 [66], PD-L2 [67], TIM-3 [14]
 
96 tests

EPX14A-15803-901

ProcartaPlex Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 2, 14plex

Target list [bead region]: 
Activating: MICA [18], MICB [21], Perforin [53], ULBP-1 [73], ULBP-3 [77], ULBP-4 [78]
Inhibitory: Arginase-1 [51], CD73 (NT5E) [30], CD96 (Tactile) [35], E-Cadherin [44], Nectin-2 [29], PVR [56], Siglec-7 [12], Siglec-9 [13]
 
96 testsEPX140-15815-901
Mouse multiplex immune checkpoint panels
ProcartaPlex Mouse Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel, 4plex

Target list [bead region]: BTLA [61], CD27 [75], LAG-3 [44], TIM-3 [46]
 
96 testsEPX040-20830-901
ProcartaPlex Mouse Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 2, 7plex

Target list [bead region]: CD137L (4-1BBL) [74], CD152 (CTLA4) [77], CD276 (B7-H3) [67], CD80 [15], PD-1 [73], PD-L1 [29], PD-L2 [53]
 
96 testsEPX070-20835-901

Multiplex gene expression and protein assays—immuno-oncology research

QuantiGene RNA gene expression assays provide a fast and high-throughput solution for multiplexed gene expression quantitation, with simultaneous measurement of up to 80 genes of interest in a single well of a 96- or 384-well plate. The QuantiGene Plex assay is based on hybridization and incorporates branched DNA (bDNA) technology, which uses signal amplification rather than target amplification for direct measurement of RNA transcripts. The assay is run on the Luminex platform, has a simple workflow, and does not require RNA purification. These features allow the user to merge the QuantiGene workflow for gene expression profiling with the ProcartaPlex workflow for protein quantitation using the same sample (Figure 5).

Learn more about QuantiGene RNA Assays for Gene Expression Profiling

Read our publication: Multiplexing protein and gene level measurements on a single Luminex platform. Methods, 2019. 158: 27-32.

Researchers can now gain deeper insights through the preconfigured panels such as the QuantiGene Plex Human Immune Response Panel, 80-plex, which simultaneously analyzes 80 cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor targets. These targets are complementary and correlate to the ProcartaPlex Human Immune Response Panel, 80plex allowing maximum data per sample using the same instrument (Figure 6). Full data, along with the target list and correlation analysis can be found here.

Additional panels are also available for curated research into immune profiling and cancer biomarkers across human and mice samples (Table 4).

Figure 6. Correlation of gene (RNA) vs. protein expression in LPS-stimulated PBMCs. PBMC were stimulated with 10 µg/mL of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Correlation of RNA and protein expression of ENA (CXCL5), GRO-alpha (CXCL1), MCP-3 (CCL7) and BLC (CXCL13) were measured at 48h post LPS-stimulation. Raw MFI data from the QuantiGene Plex Human Immune Response Panel, 80-plex was normalized to the housekeeping control, PPIB. Protein data was acquired using the complementary ProcartaPlex Human Immune Response Panel, 80plex. Data is displayed as normalized gene expression (RNA) and total amounts of protein (pg/mL) for unstimulated and LPS-stimulated samples at the 48h timepoint. RNA expression is represented by lines and protein expression by bars.

Table 4. Immune Response and Cancer Profiling Gene Expression Panels.

Product nameSizeCat. No.

QuantiGene Plex Human Immune Response Panel, 80-plex

Targets: CCL1, CCL13, CCL17 ,CCL19, CCL2, CCL21, CCL22, CCL23, CCL24, CCL25, CCL26, CCL4, CCL7, CCL8, CD40LG, CSF1, CSF2, CSF3, CX3CL1,CXCL1, CXCL11, CXCL13, CXCL2, CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL9, CXCR3, FGF2, GZMA, GZMB, HGF, IFNA1, IFNG, IL10, IL12A, IL12B, IL13, IL15, IL16, IL17A, IL18, IL1A, IL1B, IL2, IL20, IL21, IL22, IL23A, IL27, IL2RA, IL3, IL31, IL34, IL37, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL8, IL9, KITLG, LGALS3, LIF, LTA, MIF, NGF, PTX3, TNF, TNFRSF12A, TNFRSF1B, TNFRSF8, TNFSF10, TNFSF13, TNFSF13B, TREM1, TSLP, VEGFA, PPIB, HPRT1, GAPDH, GUSB

1 plate

QGP-180-10080

3 plates

QGP-280-10080

10 plates

QGP-380-10080

QuantiGene Plex Mouse Immune Response Panel, 80-plex

Targets: Il2ra, Il2, Il6, Ifng, Tnf, Il5, Il1a, Csf2, Il4, Il10, Il18, Vegfa, Il17a, Il1b, Il12a, Ccl2, Ccl7, Ccl11, Ccl5, Cxcl11, Il6ra, Ccl3, Ccl4, Il13, Il23a, Cxcr3, Il22, Il15, Il27, Il33, Ifna1, Il28a, Il31, Cxcl1, Cxcl2, Csf3, Il3, Lep, Tnfsf11, Csf1, Lif, Il9, Btc, Cxcl5, Il25, Il1rl1, Il19, Cd27, Kdr, Ccl19, Cxcl16, Il16, Ccl22, Ccl12, Gzmb, Ccl27a, Ccl24, Ccl17, Ccl25, Cxcl13, Il7r, Il7, Tslp, Tnfsf13b, Il12b, Il21, Gzma, Cd274, Ctla4, Cxcl9, Havcr2, Lag3, Ifna2, Ifnb1, Hgf, Tnfrsf12a, Ppib, Hprt, Gapdh, Gusb

1 plate

QGP-180-20064

3 plates

QGP-280-20064

10 plates

QGP-380-20064

QuantiGene Plex Human PanCancer Panel, 80-plex

Targets: AGER, ARG1, AXL, BDNF, BTLA, CALR, CD27, CD274, CD276, CD28, CD36, CD47, CD48, CD80, CD96, CDH1, CSF3, CTLA4, CXCL8, DKK1, EGF, EPCAM, FGF2, GAPDH, GAS6, GPC1, GUSB, HAVCR2, HGF, HMGB1, HPRT1, HSP90AA1, HSPA4, HSPB2, HSPD1, ICOSLG, IDO1, IGF2, KITLG, LAG3, LGALS9, LIF, MBL2, MDK, MERTK, MICA, MICB, NCR3LG1, NECTIN2, NGF, NT5E, NTRK2, OLR1, PDCD1LG2, PECAM1, PGF, PLAUR, PPIB, PRF1, PVR, RAET1E, S100A8, S100A9, SERPINE1, SIGLEC7, SIGLEC9, SPARC, SPATA2, TIMD4, TNFRSF14, TNFRSF18, TNFRSF4, TNFRSF9, TRIM8, TYRO3, ULBP1, ULBP3, VEGFA, VEGFD, VSIR

1 plate

QGP-180-HUPANCANCER

3 plates

QGP-280-HUPANCANCER

10 plates

QGP-380-HUPANCANCER

QuantiGene Plex Mouse PanCancer Panel, 80-plex

Targets: Ager, Arg1, Axl, Bdnf, Btla, Calr, Cd27, Cd274, Cd276, Cd28, Cd36, Cd47, Cd48, Cd80, Cd96, Cdh1, Csf3, Ctla4, Cxcl1, Dkk1, Egf, Epcam, Fgf2, Gapdh, Gas6, Gpc1, Gusb, Havcr2, Hgf, Hmgb1, Hprt, Hsp90Aa1, Hspa4, Hspb2, Hspd1, Icosl, Ido1, Igf2, Inhca , Kitl, Lag3, Lgals9, Lif, Mbl2, Mdk, Mertk, Mill2, Ncr1, Nectin2, Ngf, Nt5E, Ntrk2, Olr1, Pdcd1Lg2, Pecam1, Pgf, Plaur, Ppib, Prf1, Pvr, Raet1E, S100A8, S100A9, Serpine1, Siglece, Siglech, Sparc, Spata2, Timd4, Tnfrsf14 , Tnfrsf18, Tnfrsf4, Tnfrsf9, Trim8, Tyro3, Ulbp1, Ulbp3, Vegfa, Vegfd, Vsir

1 plate

QGP-180-MSPANCANCER

3 plates

QGP-280-MSPANCANCER

10 plates

QGP-380-MSPANCANCER

Overview of immuno-oncology and immune checkpoint markers

Immuno-oncology is a type of immunotherapy approach that uses the body’s immune system to help battle cancer—a different approach that goes beyond traditional methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Many recent drug development strategies have been to target immune checkpoint markers to enhance anti-tumor immunity. Immune checkpoints are cell pathways important in maintaining a normal immune response and protecting tissues from damage when the immune system is activated (Figure 1). Cancer cells dysregulate immune checkpoints and use them as a mechanism of immune resistance. For example, PD-1 masks cancer cells from T-cell recognition, thereby preventing the attack by T cells.

Cell signaling is a complex communication process to coordinate cell activities. Cell surface receptors respond to the microenvironment and trigger signal transduction cascades within the cell. The targets of such signaling pathways commonly include transcription factors that function to regulate gene expression. Errors in signaling interactions and cellular information processes are responsible for many diseases such as cancer and autoimmunity.

Cytokines are immune cell messengers that stimulate immune effector cells and stromal cells in tumors and also increase the recognition of tumor cells by cytotoxic effector cells. Investigations using animal models have revealed that cytokines display anti-tumor activity, resulting in an increased interest in the use of cytokines as a basis for cancer therapy. Many cytokines, such as GM-CSF, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, and IL-21, are in clinical trials for patients with advanced cancers. Pre-clinical research has focused on being able to neutralize cytokines that act to suppress the immune response, for example IL-10 and TGF-β. Adoptive cell therapy is an approach that makes modification to T cells to focus them on killing tumor cells, while controlling the cytokine response for optimal effect.

Immuno-oncology ELISA kits

Detecting and measuring immune checkpoint markers could be a promising pathway to better develop treatment strategies. For example, CTLA-4 plays a role during the priming of a T cell by an antigen-presenting cell. Blocking of the CTLA-4 receptor by an antibody allows T cell activation, resulting in an anticancer immune response. Correlation has been observed with positive health benefits and elevated levels of quantified soluble CTLA-4 (sCTLA4) concentrations by ELISA in antibody-therapy treated subjects (Figure 2).

Whether you are studying CTLA-4 or other immune checkpoint markers, our ELISA kits provide a specific and sensitive method to measure and monitor these biomarkers in serum, plasma, or cell culture supernatants. Invitrogen ELISA kits for popular targets such as PD-1, CD80, TIM3 etc. are listed in Table 1

Search immuno-oncology ELISA kits

Learn more about ELISA kits and components

Popular immuno-oncology protein targets and ELISA performance data

Table 1. View our ELISA kits for the following popular targets:

Immuno-oncology ProQuantum high sensitivity immunoassays

ProQuantum high-sensitivity immunoassays are designed for easy-to-run, high-performance, protein detection with no proprietary instrument to purchase. Utilizing proximity-based amplification technology, ProQuantum assays offer the analyte specificity of antibody-antigen binding with the signal detection and amplification capabilities of qPCR. ProQuantum assays can also typically detect lower levels of protein with lower sample consumption than traditional methods. This can be particularly important when handling very limited volumes of precious samples from blood or tumor extracts. Limited sample volumes also present a challenge to detect very low levels of protein, but our ProQuantum technology solves that by amplifying the signal beyond the capability of other available methods.

See our selection of sensitive assays for cytokines, which play an important role in immuno-oncology and checkpoint modulation (Table 2). Click below to see our complete selection of assays.

Find cytokine-related ProQuantum assays

Learn more about how the ProQuantum immunoassays work
Read BioProbes Journal article: Introducing ProQuantum High-Sensitivity Immunoassays—The new generation of target-specific protein quantitation

Table 2. Examples of ProQuantum immunoassays for immuno-oncology research*.

Cat. No.CytokinePrimary cell sourcePrimary target cellBiological activity
A428915GM-CSFT cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, mast cellsBone marrow, progenitor cells, DC, macrophages
NKT cells
Promotes antigen presentation, T cell homeostasis, hematopoietic cell growth factor
A35574IL-1Monocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, astrocytesT cells, B cells, endothelial cells, hypothalamus, liverCo-stimulation, cell activation,
inflammation, fever, acute phase reactant
A35603IL-2T cells, NK cellsT cells, NK cells, B cells, monocytesCell growth/activation

A35586

IL-3T cellsBone marrow progenitor cellsCell growth and differentiation
A35587IL-4T cellsT cells, B cellsTh2 differentiation, cell growth/activation, IgE isotype switching
A35588IL-5T cellsB cells, eosinophilsCell growth/activation
A35573IL-6T cells, macrophages, fibroblastsT cells, B cells, liverCo-stimulation, cell growth/activation, acute phase reactant
A35589IL-7Fibroblasts, bone marrow stromal cellsImmature lymphoid, progenitorsT cell survival, proliferation, homeostasis, B cell development
A35575IL-8Macrophages, epithelial cells, plateletsNeutrophilsActivation, chemotaxis
A35590
IL-10Th2 T cellsMacrophages, T cellsInhibits antigen-presenting cells, inhibits cytokine production
A35577IL-12Macrophages, NK cellsT cellsTh1 differentiation
 IL-15MonocytesT cells, NK cellsCell growth/activation, NK cell development, blocks apoptosis
A35613IL-18MacrophagesT cells, NK cells, B cellsCell growth/activation, inflammation
A35593IL-21CD4+ T cells, NKT cellsNK cells, T cells, B cellsCell growth/activation, control of allergic responses and viral infections
 IL-23Antigen-presenting cellsT cells, NK cells, DCChronic inflammation, promotes Th17 cells
A42897IFN-αPlasmacytoid DC, NK cells, T cells, B cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, osteoblastsMacrophages, NK cellsAnti-viral, enhances MHC expression
A35576IFN-γT cells, NK cells, NKT cellsMonocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, tissue cellsCell growth/activation, enhances MHC expression
A42898TGF-βT cells, macrophagesT cellsInhibits cell growth/activation
A35601TNF- αMacrophages, T cellsT cells, B cells, endothelial cells, hypothalamus, liverCo-stimulation, cell activation, inflammation, fever, acute phase reactant

* S. Lee and K. Margolin. Cytokines in Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel), 2011. 3(4): 3856-93.

Immuno-oncology ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassays

Invitrogen ProcartaPlex Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panels allow for the simultaneous detection of up to 38 soluble immune checkpoint molecules and help provide a more comprehensive picture of cancer immunity.

Several checkpoint inhibitors were detected in tumor tissue extracts from mouse using the ProcartaPlex Mouse Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel, 4plex and ProcartaPlex Mouse Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 2, 7plex (Figure 3). We have also measured checkpoint markers in melanoma patient samples using the ProcartaPlex Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 1, 14plex and ProcartaPlex Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 2, 14plex (Figure 4).

Our Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint panels have been specifically designed and optimized for cerebral spinal fluid, serum, and plasma samples (Table 3). Use preconfigured panels below or select from single targets to create your own custom panel to study either human or mouse immune checkpoint biomarkers.

ProcartaPlex Panel Configurator

Learn more about ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassays

Watch these on-demand webinars:


Preconfigured immuno-oncology multiplex immunoassay panels and performance data

graph showing four immune checkpoint inhibitors in mouse

graph showing seven immune checkpoint inhibitors in mouse

Figure 3. Detection of multiple immune checkpoint inhibitors in mouse samples. The ProcartaPlex Mouse Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel, 4plex (top) and ProcartaPlex Mouse Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 2, 7plex (bottom) were tested using homogenized MC38 or TC-1 derived tumor tissue extract from C57BI/6 mice. The tumor tissue was removed at different time points post-treatment. Tissue extracts were homogenized in RIPA Buffer using a proteinase inhibitor. Untreated mice served as control. Differences were observed between the treated vs. control groups, suggesting role of these proteins in tumor progression. Data was provided by our collaborator.

Figure 4. Serum levels of checkpoint markers in melanoma patient samples. The ProcartaPlex Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 1, 14plex and ProcartaPlex Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 2, 14plex were used to measure various checkpoint markers in melanoma patient samples. Results are shown as the mean of ungrouped human samples for all targets of both the panels. Used with permission from Exner R., Sachet M., Arnold T., et al. Prognostic value of HMGB1 in early breast cancer patients under neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Cancer Med, 2016. 5(9): 2350-8.


Table 3. Preconfigured ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassay panels for immuno-oncology.

Human multiplex immune checkpoint panels
Product nameSizeCat. No.
ProcartaPlex Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 1, 14plex

Target list [bead region]: 
Immune stimulatory: CD27 [27], CD28 [15], CD137 (4-1BB) [26], GITR [57], HVEM [36]
Immune inhibitory: BTLA [52], CD80 [61], CD152 (CTLA4) [33], IDO [46], LAG-3 [47], PD-1 [65], PD-L1 [66], PD-L2 [67], TIM-3 [14]
 
96 tests

EPX14A-15803-901

ProcartaPlex Human Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 2, 14plex

Target list [bead region]: 
Activating: MICA [18], MICB [21], Perforin [53], ULBP-1 [73], ULBP-3 [77], ULBP-4 [78]
Inhibitory: Arginase-1 [51], CD73 (NT5E) [30], CD96 (Tactile) [35], E-Cadherin [44], Nectin-2 [29], PVR [56], Siglec-7 [12], Siglec-9 [13]
 
96 testsEPX140-15815-901
Mouse multiplex immune checkpoint panels
ProcartaPlex Mouse Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel, 4plex

Target list [bead region]: BTLA [61], CD27 [75], LAG-3 [44], TIM-3 [46]
 
96 testsEPX040-20830-901
ProcartaPlex Mouse Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Panel 2, 7plex

Target list [bead region]: CD137L (4-1BBL) [74], CD152 (CTLA4) [77], CD276 (B7-H3) [67], CD80 [15], PD-1 [73], PD-L1 [29], PD-L2 [53]
 
96 testsEPX070-20835-901

Multiplex gene expression and protein assays—immuno-oncology research

QuantiGene RNA gene expression assays provide a fast and high-throughput solution for multiplexed gene expression quantitation, with simultaneous measurement of up to 80 genes of interest in a single well of a 96- or 384-well plate. The QuantiGene Plex assay is based on hybridization and incorporates branched DNA (bDNA) technology, which uses signal amplification rather than target amplification for direct measurement of RNA transcripts. The assay is run on the Luminex platform, has a simple workflow, and does not require RNA purification. These features allow the user to merge the QuantiGene workflow for gene expression profiling with the ProcartaPlex workflow for protein quantitation using the same sample (Figure 5).

Learn more about QuantiGene RNA Assays for Gene Expression Profiling

Read our publication: Multiplexing protein and gene level measurements on a single Luminex platform. Methods, 2019. 158: 27-32.

Researchers can now gain deeper insights through the preconfigured panels such as the QuantiGene Plex Human Immune Response Panel, 80-plex, which simultaneously analyzes 80 cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor targets. These targets are complementary and correlate to the ProcartaPlex Human Immune Response Panel, 80plex allowing maximum data per sample using the same instrument (Figure 6). Full data, along with the target list and correlation analysis can be found here.

Additional panels are also available for curated research into immune profiling and cancer biomarkers across human and mice samples (Table 4).

Figure 6. Correlation of gene (RNA) vs. protein expression in LPS-stimulated PBMCs. PBMC were stimulated with 10 µg/mL of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Correlation of RNA and protein expression of ENA (CXCL5), GRO-alpha (CXCL1), MCP-3 (CCL7) and BLC (CXCL13) were measured at 48h post LPS-stimulation. Raw MFI data from the QuantiGene Plex Human Immune Response Panel, 80-plex was normalized to the housekeeping control, PPIB. Protein data was acquired using the complementary ProcartaPlex Human Immune Response Panel, 80plex. Data is displayed as normalized gene expression (RNA) and total amounts of protein (pg/mL) for unstimulated and LPS-stimulated samples at the 48h timepoint. RNA expression is represented by lines and protein expression by bars.

Table 4. Immune Response and Cancer Profiling Gene Expression Panels.

Product nameSizeCat. No.

QuantiGene Plex Human Immune Response Panel, 80-plex

Targets: CCL1, CCL13, CCL17 ,CCL19, CCL2, CCL21, CCL22, CCL23, CCL24, CCL25, CCL26, CCL4, CCL7, CCL8, CD40LG, CSF1, CSF2, CSF3, CX3CL1,CXCL1, CXCL11, CXCL13, CXCL2, CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL9, CXCR3, FGF2, GZMA, GZMB, HGF, IFNA1, IFNG, IL10, IL12A, IL12B, IL13, IL15, IL16, IL17A, IL18, IL1A, IL1B, IL2, IL20, IL21, IL22, IL23A, IL27, IL2RA, IL3, IL31, IL34, IL37, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL8, IL9, KITLG, LGALS3, LIF, LTA, MIF, NGF, PTX3, TNF, TNFRSF12A, TNFRSF1B, TNFRSF8, TNFSF10, TNFSF13, TNFSF13B, TREM1, TSLP, VEGFA, PPIB, HPRT1, GAPDH, GUSB

1 plate

QGP-180-10080

3 plates

QGP-280-10080

10 plates

QGP-380-10080

QuantiGene Plex Mouse Immune Response Panel, 80-plex

Targets: Il2ra, Il2, Il6, Ifng, Tnf, Il5, Il1a, Csf2, Il4, Il10, Il18, Vegfa, Il17a, Il1b, Il12a, Ccl2, Ccl7, Ccl11, Ccl5, Cxcl11, Il6ra, Ccl3, Ccl4, Il13, Il23a, Cxcr3, Il22, Il15, Il27, Il33, Ifna1, Il28a, Il31, Cxcl1, Cxcl2, Csf3, Il3, Lep, Tnfsf11, Csf1, Lif, Il9, Btc, Cxcl5, Il25, Il1rl1, Il19, Cd27, Kdr, Ccl19, Cxcl16, Il16, Ccl22, Ccl12, Gzmb, Ccl27a, Ccl24, Ccl17, Ccl25, Cxcl13, Il7r, Il7, Tslp, Tnfsf13b, Il12b, Il21, Gzma, Cd274, Ctla4, Cxcl9, Havcr2, Lag3, Ifna2, Ifnb1, Hgf, Tnfrsf12a, Ppib, Hprt, Gapdh, Gusb

1 plate

QGP-180-20064

3 plates

QGP-280-20064

10 plates

QGP-380-20064

QuantiGene Plex Human PanCancer Panel, 80-plex

Targets: AGER, ARG1, AXL, BDNF, BTLA, CALR, CD27, CD274, CD276, CD28, CD36, CD47, CD48, CD80, CD96, CDH1, CSF3, CTLA4, CXCL8, DKK1, EGF, EPCAM, FGF2, GAPDH, GAS6, GPC1, GUSB, HAVCR2, HGF, HMGB1, HPRT1, HSP90AA1, HSPA4, HSPB2, HSPD1, ICOSLG, IDO1, IGF2, KITLG, LAG3, LGALS9, LIF, MBL2, MDK, MERTK, MICA, MICB, NCR3LG1, NECTIN2, NGF, NT5E, NTRK2, OLR1, PDCD1LG2, PECAM1, PGF, PLAUR, PPIB, PRF1, PVR, RAET1E, S100A8, S100A9, SERPINE1, SIGLEC7, SIGLEC9, SPARC, SPATA2, TIMD4, TNFRSF14, TNFRSF18, TNFRSF4, TNFRSF9, TRIM8, TYRO3, ULBP1, ULBP3, VEGFA, VEGFD, VSIR

1 plate

QGP-180-HUPANCANCER

3 plates

QGP-280-HUPANCANCER

10 plates

QGP-380-HUPANCANCER

QuantiGene Plex Mouse PanCancer Panel, 80-plex

Targets: Ager, Arg1, Axl, Bdnf, Btla, Calr, Cd27, Cd274, Cd276, Cd28, Cd36, Cd47, Cd48, Cd80, Cd96, Cdh1, Csf3, Ctla4, Cxcl1, Dkk1, Egf, Epcam, Fgf2, Gapdh, Gas6, Gpc1, Gusb, Havcr2, Hgf, Hmgb1, Hprt, Hsp90Aa1, Hspa4, Hspb2, Hspd1, Icosl, Ido1, Igf2, Inhca , Kitl, Lag3, Lgals9, Lif, Mbl2, Mdk, Mertk, Mill2, Ncr1, Nectin2, Ngf, Nt5E, Ntrk2, Olr1, Pdcd1Lg2, Pecam1, Pgf, Plaur, Ppib, Prf1, Pvr, Raet1E, S100A8, S100A9, Serpine1, Siglece, Siglech, Sparc, Spata2, Timd4, Tnfrsf14 , Tnfrsf18, Tnfrsf4, Tnfrsf9, Trim8, Tyro3, Ulbp1, Ulbp3, Vegfa, Vegfd, Vsir

1 plate

QGP-180-MSPANCANCER

3 plates

QGP-280-MSPANCANCER

10 plates

QGP-380-MSPANCANCER


Additional resources for immuno-oncology research

Immunoassay instruments

Stylesheet for Classic Wide Template adjustments

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.