Longitudinal high-dimensional analysis identifies immune features associating with response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy

Pretreatment CD8+PD-1+ to CD4+PD-1+ ratio is associated with the prognosis of advanced melanoma patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors

The aim of this study is to determine whether the pretreatment CD8+PD-1+ to CD4+PD-1+ (PERLS) ratio is an independent risk prognostic factor of advanced melanoma patients. We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and flow cytometry data from advanced melanoma patients who received PD-1 inhibitor as monotherapy between January 1, 2018 and January 26, 2022. Fifty-nine patients were enrolled, the PERLS cutoff was 1.125. PERLS did not correlate with clinical characteristics but were significantly associated with baseline CD8+, CD4+, and CD8+PD-1+ T cells. The mean overall survival and the progression-free survival were 45.8 and 17.1 months for the low PERLS group (n = 39), compared with 29.9 (P = 0.001) and 9.7 (P = 0.003) months for the high PERLS group (n = 20), respectively. Pretreatment PERLS might contribute to selecting patients before receiving anti-PD-1 therapy.

Cordyceps sinensis relieves non-small cell lung cancer by inhibiting the MAPK pathway

OBJECTIVE

To determine the pharmacodynamic mechanism underlying Cordyceps sinensis relief in a murine model of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

We created a murine model of NSCLC and studied the potential molecular mechanism by which C. sinensis relieved NSCLC using a combination of transcriptomics, proteomics, and experimental validation.

RESULTS

C. sinensis markedly suppressed the fluorescence values in mice with NSCLC, improved the pathologic morphology of lung tissue, ameliorated inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and the oxidative stress indicators superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and glutathione peroxidase). Transcriptomics results showed that the therapeutic effect of C. sinensis was primarily involved in the differentiation and activation of T cells. Based on the proteomic results, C. sinensis likely exerted a protective effect by recruiting immune cells and suppressing tumor cell proliferation via the MAPK pathway. Finally, the experimental validation results indicated that C. sinensis significantly decreased the VEGF and Ki67 expression, downregulated RhoA, Raf-1, and c-fos expression, which are related to cell migration and invasion, increased the serum concentration of hematopoietic factors (EPO and GM-CSF), and improved the percentage of immune cells (natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes), which enhanced immune function.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our preclinical study, C. sinensis was shown to exert a protective effect on NSCLC, primarily by inhibiting the MAPK pathway.

Sex-related differences in serum biomarker levels predict the activity and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) lead to durable response and a significant increase in long-term survival in patients with advanced malignant melanoma (MM) and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). The identification of serum cytokines that can predict their activity and efficacy, and their sex interaction, could improve treatment personalization.

METHODS

In this prospective study, we enrolled immunotherapy-naïve patients affected by advanced MM and NSCLC treated with ICIs. The primary endpoint was to dissect the potential sex correlations between serum cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, GM-CSF, MCP-1, TNF-ɑ, IP-10, VEGF, sPD-L1) and the objective response rate (ORR). Secondly, we analyzed biomarker changes during treatment related to ORR, disease control rate (DCR), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Blood samples, collected at baseline and during treatment until disease progression (PD) or up to 2 years, were analyzed using Luminex xMAP or ELLA technologies.

RESULTS

Serum samples from 161 patients (98 males/63 females; 92 MM/69 NSCLC) were analyzed for treatment response. At baseline, IL-6 was significantly lower in females (F) versus males (M); lower levels of IL-4 in F and of IL-6 in both sexes significantly correlated with a better ORR, while higher IL-4 and TNF-ɑ values were predictive of a lower ORR in F versus M. One hundred and sixty-five patients were evaluable for survival analysis: at multiple Cox regression, an increased risk of PD was observed in F with higher baseline values of IL-4, sPD-L1 and IL-10, while higher IL-6 was a negative predictor in males. In males, higher levels of GM-CSF predict a longer survival, whereas higher IL-1β predicts a shorter survival. Regardless of sex, high baseline IL-8 values were associated with an increased risk of both PD and death, and high IL-6 levels only with shorter OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, GM-CSF, TNF-ɑ, and sPD-L1 had a significant sex-related predictive impact on ORR, PFS and OS in melanoma and NSCLC patients treated with ICIs. These results will potentially pave the way for new ICI combinations, designed according to baseline and early changes of these cytokines and stratified by sex.

Harnessing natural product polysaccharides against lung cancer and revisit its novel mechanism

The incidence and mortality of lung cancer are on the rise worldwide. However, the benefit of clinical treatment in lung cancer is limited. Owning to important sources of drug development, natural products have received constant attention around the world. Main ingredient polysaccharides in natural products have been found to have various activities in pharmacological research. In recent years, more and more scientists are looking for the effects and mechanisms of different natural product polysaccharides on lung cancer. In this review, we focus on the following aspects: First, natural product polysaccharides have been discovered to directly suppress the growth of lung cancer cells, which can be effective in limiting tumor progression. Additionally, polysaccharides have been considered to enhance immune function, which can play a pivotal role in fighting lung cancer. Lastly, polysaccharides can improve the efficacy of drugs in lung cancer treatment by regulating the gut microbiota. Overall, the research of natural product polysaccharides in the treatment of lung cancer is a promising area that has the potential to lead to new clinical treatments. With better understanding, natural product polysaccharides have the potential to become important components of future lung cancer treatments.