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Single-cell study reveals early alterations in peripheral blood immune responses at day 7 following microwave
Yuesong Wu1, Xiaolong Wei2, Wentao Yang2
1Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, THE 923 rd Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, China..
Background:
Lung cancer (LC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death. Microwave ablation (MWA) is a promising local therapy, but its impact on systemic immunity remains unclear.
Methods:
In this exploratory pilot study, paired peripheral blood samples from two LC patients pre- and post-MWA were analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Cell composition, functional states, and intercellular communication were investigated. The expression levels of cytotoxic factors including GZMB, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in CD8+ T cells derived from PBMCs were determined via RT-qPCR and ELISA assays.
Results:
scRNA-seq identified 9 immune cell types. Post-MWA, monocytes and NKT cells increased. Functional changes included enhanced T cell cytotoxicity, activated pro-inflammatory monocytes, and anti-tumor neutrophil differentiation. Cell communication analysis highlighted enriched LGALS9-CD45 and RETN-CAP1 interactions between T cells and monocytes/neutrophils. In vitro cellular assays revealed that the expression of cytotoxic factors (GZMB, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) in CD8+ T cells was significantly upregulated following MWA treatment.
Conclusion:
This pilot study provides preliminary single-cell evidence suggesting how MWA remodels the immune landscape in LC, however, these findings require further validation in larger cohorts.
