Author Correction: Circulating tumor DNA analysis depicts subclonal architecture and genomic evolution of small cell lung cancer

Multi-omics Analysis Reveals Immune Features Associated with Immunotherapy Benefit in Patients with Squamous Cell Lung Cancer from Phase III Lung-MAP S1400I Trial

PURPOSE

Identifying molecular and immune features to guide immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based regimens remains an unmet clinical need.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Tissue and longitudinal blood specimens from phase III trial S1400I in patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell carcinoma (SqNSCLC) treated with nivolumab monotherapy (nivo) or nivolumab plus ipilimumab (nivo+ipi) were subjected to multi-omics analyses including multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF), nCounter PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel, whole-exome sequencing, and Olink.

RESULTS

Higher immune scores from immune gene expression profiling or immune cell infiltration by mIF were associated with response to ICIs and improved survival, except regulatory T cells, which were associated with worse overall survival (OS) for patients receiving nivo+ipi. Immune cell density and closer proximity of CD8+GZB+ T cells to malignant cells were associated with superior progression-free survival and OS. The cold immune landscape of NSCLC was associated with a higher level of chromosomal copy-number variation (CNV) burden. Patients with LRP1B-mutant tumors had a shorter survival than patients with LRP1B-wild-type tumors. Olink assays revealed soluble proteins such as LAMP3 increased in responders while IL6 and CXCL13 increased in nonresponders. Upregulation of serum CXCL13, MMP12, CSF-1, and IL8 were associated with worse survival before radiologic progression.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency, distribution, and clustering of immune cells relative to malignant ones can impact ICI efficacy in patients with SqNSCLC. High CNV burden may contribute to the cold immune microenvironment. Soluble inflammation/immune-related proteins in the blood have the potential to monitor therapeutic benefit from ICI treatment in patients with SqNSCLC.

Upconversion nanoparticle and gold nanocage satellite assemblies for sensitive ctDNA detection in serum

A rapid molecular diagnostic technique targeting circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has become one of the most clinically significant liquid biopsy methods for non-invasive and timely diagnosis of cancer. Herein, a sensitive detection system of ctDNA based on a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system using upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and gold nanocages (AuNCs) was constructed. Through the doping of Yb and Tm ions, the excitation and emission wavelengths of UCNPs were adjusted to 980 nm and 806 nm, respectively. Subsequently, UCNPs and AuNCs with the corresponding wavelength absorption were linked by complementary pairing of surface-modified DNA to form near-infrared fluorescent nanoprobes (NIR probes). Targeting DNA mutation recognition and signal transduction were realized by using NIR probes through the toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction. This method could detect a single point mutation of the KRAS gene with a wide detection range from 5 pM to 1000 pM and the limit of detection reached 6.30 pM. More importantly, the stable and highly specific NIR probes could be directly used in the serum environment without complicated pretreatment and amplification processes in advance. It could be envisioned that this specific and sensitive ctDNA detection strategy has great potential in clinical diagnosis and monitoring of diverse malignant tumors.

Technological and Therapeutic Advances in Advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately 10-15% of all lung cancers. The prognosis is poor with median survival in the advanced stage remaining at around 12 months. Despite applying every known therapeutic approach, no major breakthrough has improved the overall survival in the last 30 years. Historically, experiments performed on conventional cell lines may have limitations of not accurately reflecting the complex biological and genomic heterogeneity of this disease. However, additional knowledge gained from recently developed genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) and patient derived xenografts (PDXs) have made encouraging inroads. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) data reveals a high mutational burden and a number of genetic alterations but low frequency of targetable mutations. Despite several failures, considerable therapeutic opportunities have recently emerged. Potentially promising therapies include those targeting DNA damage repair, stem cell/renewal and drug resistant mechanisms. Modest success has also been achieved with immune checkpoint inhibitors while therapeutic exploration of various other components of the immune system is underway. However, the complex heterogeneities reflect the need for accurate bio-markers to translate novel discoveries into clinical benefit. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms that differentiate chemo-sensitive from chemo-refractory disease remain unknown. Obtaining reliable tumour samples by utilising novel techniques such as endobronchial ultrasound guided needle aspiration or adopting to liquid biopsies are becoming popular. This review will focus on recent technological and therapeutic advancements to surmount this recalcitrant disease.