Reprogramming Tumor-Associated Macrophages To Reverse EGFRT790M Resistance by Dual-Targeting Codelivery of Gefitinib/Vorinostat
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Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Establishing Dual Resistance to EGFR-TKI and MET-TKI in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells In Vitro with a 2-step Dose-escalation Procedure
Published on: August 11, 2017
Huige Peng1,2, Binfan Chen1,2, Wei Huang1
1Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203, China.
Abstract:
Gefitinib is a first-line therapy in the EGFR-mutated nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the development of drug resistance is almost unavoidable, thus leading to an unsustainable regimen. EGFRT790M mutation is the major cause responsible for the molecular-targeting therapy failure in NSCLC. Although the recently approved osimertinib is effective for the EGFRT790M-positive NSCLC, the osimertinib-resistant EGFR mutation is rapidly developed, too. In this study, we proposed a tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) reprogramming strategy for overcoming the EGFRT790M-associated drug resistance via a dual-targeting codelivery system of gefitinib/vorinostat that acted on both TAM with overexpression of mannose receptors and the HER-2 positive NSCLC cells. The trastuzumab-modified, mannosylated liposomal system was able to repolarize the protumor M2 phenotype to the antitumor M1 and cause the elevating ROS in the cancer cells, consequently modulating the intracellular redox balance via ROS/NOX3/MsrA axis. The suppressed MsrA facilitated the EGFRT790M degradation through 790M oxidation by ROS, thus resensitizing the EGFRT790M-positive cells to gefitinib. The dual-targeting codelivery and TAM-reprogramming strategies provided a potential method for rescuing the EGFRT790M-caused resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment.
Insights
This study introduces a novel drug delivery system to overcome resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR T790M mutations. The strategy reprograms tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to resensitize cancer cells to gefitinib.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Gefitinib is a first-line treatment for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- Drug resistance, particularly due to the EGFR T790M mutation, limits the efficacy of targeted therapies like gefitinib and osimertinib.
- Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a role in promoting drug resistance in NSCLC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a dual-targeting codelivery system to overcome EGFR T790M-associated drug resistance in NSCLC.
- To reprogram TAMs from a pro-tumor M2 phenotype to an anti-tumor M1 phenotype.
- To resensitize EGFR T790M-positive NSCLC cells to gefitinib.
Main Methods:
- A trastuzumab-modified, mannosylated liposomal system was designed for codelivery of gefitinib and vorinostat.
- The system targeted TAMs overexpressing mannose receptors and HER-2 positive NSCLC cells.
- The strategy involved repolarizing TAMs, elevating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells, and modulating the ROS/NOX3/MsrA axis.
Main Results:
- The liposomal system successfully repolarized M2 TAMs to M1.
- Elevated ROS levels suppressed MsrA, facilitating EGFR T790M degradation via oxidation.
- This process resensitized EGFR T790M-positive NSCLC cells to gefitinib, overcoming drug resistance.
Conclusions:
- A dual-targeting codelivery system combined with TAM reprogramming offers a potential strategy to overcome EGFR T790M-mediated resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
- This approach provides a promising method for enhancing the efficacy of NSCLC treatment in resistant cases.
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