Circulating Interleukin-4 Is Associated with a Systemic T Cell Response against Tumor-Associated Antigens in Treatment-Naïve Patients with Resectable Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Roles of IL-4, IL-13, and Their Receptors in Lung Cancer

Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 are the main effectors of innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) of the type 2 innate immune response, which can carry out specific signal transmission between multiple cells in the tumor immune microenvironment. IL-4 and IL-13 mediate signal transduction and regulate cellular functions in a variety of solid tumors through their shared receptor chain, the transmembrane heterodimer interleukin-4 receptor alpha/interleukin-13 receptor alpha-1 (type II IL-4 receptor). IL-4, IL-13, and their receptors can induce the formation of a variety of malignant tumors and play an important role in their progression, growth, and tumor immunity. In order to explore possible targets for lung cancer prediction and treatment, this review summarizes the characteristics and signal transduction pathways of IL-4 and IL-13, and their respective receptors, and discusses in depth their possible role in the occurrence and development of lung cancer.

Combining TIGIT blockade with IL-15 stimulation is a promising immunotherapy strategy for lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

T-cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domain (TIGIT) is an immune checkpoint molecule that suppresses CD8+ T-cell function in cancer. However, the expression profile and functional significance of TIGIT in the immune microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain elusive. Interleukin (IL)-15 has emerged as a promising candidate for enhancing CD8+ T-cell mediated tumour eradication. Exploring therapeutic strategies that combine IL-15 with TIGIT blockade in LUAD is warranted.

METHODS

We investigated the regulatory network involving coinhibitory TIGIT and CD96, as well as costimulatory CD226 in LUAD using clinical samples. The potential role of TIGIT in regulating the pathogenesis of LUAD was addressed through a murine model with transplanted tumours constructed in Tigit-/- mice. The therapeutic strategy that combines TIGIT blockade with IL-15 stimulation was verified using a transplanted tumour murine model and a patient-derived organoid (PDO) model.

RESULTS

The frequency of TIGIT+ CD8+ T cells was significantly increased in LUAD. Increased TIGIT expression indicated poorer prognosis in LUAD patients. Furthermore, the effector function of TIGIT+ CD8+ tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) was impaired in LUAD patients and TIGIT inhibited antitumour immune response of CD8+ TILs in tumour-bearing mice. Mechanistically, IL-15 enhanced the effector function of CD8+ TILs but stimulated the expression of TIGIT on CD8+ TILs concomitantly. The application of IL-15 combined with TIGIT blockade showed additive effects in enhancing the cytotoxicity of CD8+ TILs and thus further increased the antitumour immune response in LUAD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings identified TIGIT as a promising therapeutic target for LUAD. LUAD could benefit more from the combined therapy of IL-15 stimulation and TIGIT blockade.

Serum cytokine levels and other associated factors as possible immunotherapeutic targets and prognostic indicators for lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent cancer types and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80-85% of all cancer incidences. Lung cancer therapy and prognosis largely depend on the disease's degree at the diagnosis time. Cytokines are soluble polypeptides that contribute to cell-to-cell communication, acting paracrine or autocrine on neighboring or distant cells. Cytokines are essential for developing neoplastic growth, but they are also known to operate as biological inducers following cancer therapy. Early indications are that inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-8 play a predictive role in lung cancer. Nevertheless, the biological significance of cytokine levels in lung cancer has not yet been investigated. This review aimed to assess the existing literature on serum cytokine levels and additional factors as potential immunotherapeutic targets and lung cancer prognostic indicators. Changes in serum cytokine levels have been identified as immunological biomarkers for lung cancer and predict the effectiveness of targeted immunotherapy.