Recent study reveals key immune cells as critical factors in lung cancer prognosis

An extensive analytical study performed at the Terasaki Institute and published in Frontiers in Immunology highlights the crucial role of tissue-resident memory T cells and how they influence the immune environment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer and their overall prognosis.

Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for ~85% of lung tumors and is a leading cause of death in adults. Tissue-resident memory T cells, a specialized subset of immune cells residing in peripheral tissues, have been suspected of impacting cancer progression. However, it's still not fully understood how tissue-resident memory T cells affect the tumor immune microenvironment and tumor progression in various non-small cell lung cancer patient populations.

In this comprehensive study, multiple independent datasets from lung cancer patient samples were analyzed. In addition, a machine learning model was developed and validated to predict patient survival, refining an 18-gene risk score that effectively categorizes lung cancer patients into low-risk and high-risk groups. In cancer research, the 18-gene risk score is used to predict disease progression or recurrence chances, which helps create personalized treatment plans. The scores are usually divided into low and high risk, with specific thresholds setting these categories.

In this study, patients with high-risk scores exhibited significantly lower overall survival rates than their low-risk counterparts. Distinct Tissue Resident Memory T cell biomarkers were identified that correlate positively with other immune cells within the tumor environment. Moreover, these biomarkers were strongly associated with immune checkpoint and stimulatory genes, directly influencing patient prognosis.

"The study's findings highlight the critical impact of Tissue Resident Memory T cell abundance on immune responses and patient outcomes in lung cancer," said Dr. Xiling Shen, Chief Scientific Officer at Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation. "Our findings not only validate these cells as a prognostic marker but also underscore their potential in guiding personalized treatment strategies, particularly in immunotherapy."

This research, independently validated by the Cancer Genome Atlas Program and multiple lung cancer patient datasets, provides a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between Tissue Resident Memory T cells and the tumor. It represents a significant step towards advancing precision medicine in lung cancer treatment.