Apatinib and Adebrelimab Exhibit Synergistic Antitumor effects in Small Cell Lung Cancer: An In Vitro Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pharmacology
• Immunotherapy

Background:

• Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options.
• Investigating novel combination therapies is crucial for improving patient outcomes in SCLC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the synergistic anti-tumor effects of Apatinib (Apa) combined with Adebrelimab (Ade) against SCLC cells in vitro.
• To assess the impact of this combination on cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and immune modulation.

Main Methods:

• Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were used to determine IC50 values and assess cell viability.
• Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices quantified synergistic effects.
• Wound healing, Transwell assays, flow cytometry, ELISA, LDH assay, and western blot analyzed cell migration, invasion, immune responses, and protein expression.

Main Results:

• The combination of Apa and Ade demonstrated synergistic effects, with FIC values below 1 in both H446 and H1436 SCLC cell lines.
• Combined treatment significantly inhibited SCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion compared to monotherapy.
• The combination enhanced CD8+ T cell activity, suppressed PD-L1 and TGF-β expression, and downregulated VEGFR2 and STAT3 signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

• The combination of Apatinib and Adebrelimab exhibits significant synergistic anti-tumor activity against SCLC in vitro.
• This combination represents a promising therapeutic strategy for SCLC.
• Further preclinical and clinical studies are necessary to validate its efficacy and safety.