Immune Checkpoint Therapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Introduction to Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Lung cancer is a major contributor to cancer-related deaths. Worldwide, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80-85% of all lung cancer cases. Despite the development and use of innovative treatments, the estimated 5-year survival rate of metastatic NSCLC remains only 18%. Both histologically and molecularly, NSCLC comprises a group of heterogeneous diseases. Histological features, molecular characteristics, and tumor stage determine the first-line therapeutic approach, which consists of surgery with a curative intent only in the presence of localized diseases. However, the majority of NSCLC cases are diagnosed at an incurable advanced state with a dramatic impact on patient prognosis. The molecular background of these tumors may vary considerably, even within the same subtype.

Fig.1 Tumor immune microenvironment in NSCLC and its modification after chemotherapy. (Leonetti, 2019){Leonetti, 2019 #1226}

Immune Checkpoint Therapy in NSCLC

Recent breakthroughs brought about the development of cancer immunotherapy have dramatically changed the treatment algorithm of NSCLC patients, significantly improving their prognosis. It is now recognized that the immune system plays a central role in the control of tumor growth and progression, a process known as cancer immunoediting. Cancer cells can evade immune destruction by dysregulating the host immune response. Specifically, the activation of immune checkpoints including programmed death 1 (PD-1), PD ligand 1 (PD-L1), or cytotoxic T cell lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), originally evolved to prevent T cells from attacking healthy tissues, may lead to inhibition of T cell signaling and contribute to the generation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The key role of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), targeting either the PD-1/PD-L1 axis and CTLA-4, relies on the recognition and elimination of tumor cells by the host immune system itself by turning on an effective antitumor immune response. Following the very promising results of different clinical trials, two PD-1 inhibitors and one PD-L1 targeted antibody have been introduced in the therapeutic landscape of metastatic NSCLC.

Fig.2 Principal effects of ICI-based immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy on the host immune system. (Leonetti, 2019)

Services at Creative Biolabs

Having focused on the immune checkpoint targeted therapy development for years, Creative Biolabs has established an advanced technology platform equipped with a high-degree expert team. In these years of exploration, we have accumulated extensive experience and accomplished hundreds of customer-satisfied projects. We are now capable of providing high-quality immune checkpoint-based NSCLC therapy development services, including but not limited to:

If you are interested in any of our services, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

Reference

Leonetti, A.; et al. Molecular basis and rationale for combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Drug Resist Updat. 2019, 46: 100644.

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