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STAT3 as a potential immunotherapy biomarker in oncogene-addicted non-small cell lung cancer

Ilaria Attili¹, Niki Karachaliou², Laura Bonanno³

¹Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 53, Padova 35128, Italy.

Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology

|April 12, 2018

Abstract:

Immune checkpoint blockade has modified the treatment landscape for many types of tumors, including lung cancer. Still our knowledge on the biology of the interaction between tumor cells and the microenvironment is limited, preventing the optimal use of these new compounds and the maximum benefit that the patients can derive from them. We have actively worked on the role of STAT3, a transcriptional factor that causes innate resistance to targeted therapies in oncogene-addicted tumors. In this short review we take the opportunity to express our opinion and review existing knowledge on the immune role of STAT3 and the possible implications that this may have for the discovery of new biomarkers to predict response to immunotherapy, as well as new partners to combine with and increase the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Insights

STAT3 plays a key role in tumor resistance to therapies. Understanding its immune function could lead to new biomarkers and combination treatments for immune checkpoint inhibitors in lung cancer.

Area of Science:

Oncology
Immunology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Immune checkpoint blockade has revolutionized cancer treatment, particularly for lung cancer.
Limited understanding of tumor-immune microenvironment interactions hinders optimal therapeutic benefit.
STAT3 is implicated in innate resistance to targeted therapies in oncogene-driven tumors.

Discussion:

This review explores the immune functions of STAT3.
STAT3's role in innate resistance to targeted therapies is examined.
The implications for predicting immunotherapy response are discussed.

Key Insights:

STAT3's immune role is crucial for understanding treatment resistance.
Identifying STAT3-related biomarkers may predict immunotherapy response.
Targeting STAT3 pathways could enhance immunotherapy efficacy.

Outlook:

Further research into STAT3's immune functions is warranted.
Development of novel biomarkers for immunotherapy response prediction.
Exploring combination strategies involving STAT3 inhibition and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Read full analysis

Keywords:

PD-L1 STAT3 biomarkers immunotherapy lung cancer

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