Reprogramming the immune microenvironment in lung cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally.
• The tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly influences lung cancer progression and immune evasion.
• Key immune cells within the TME, such as macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, promote immunosuppression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the functional roles of immune cell subsets in lung cancer.
• To highlight emerging strategies for reprogramming the immunosuppressive TME.
• To discuss enhancing responsiveness to lung cancer immunotherapies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of immune cell functions in lung cancer.
• Analysis of the immunosuppressive mechanisms within the TME.
• Exploration of novel therapeutic strategies targeting the TME.

Main Results:

• Diverse immune cells (T cells, B cells, NK cells, TAMs, MDSCs) play critical roles in lung cancer immunity.
• TAMs and MDSCs contribute to immunosuppression through cytokines and metabolic disruption.
• High M2-polarized TAMs and MDSCs are associated with poor prognosis and treatment resistance.

Conclusions:

• The immunosuppressive TME limits the efficacy of current lung cancer immunotherapies.
• Reprogramming the TME is essential for improving therapeutic outcomes.
• Emerging strategies aim to overcome TME-mediated immune suppression to enhance immunotherapy response.