Shaping the tumor immune microenvironment of SCLC: Mechanisms, and opportunities for immunotherapy

Yunfei Chen; Hui Li; Yun Fan

doi:10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102606

Shaping the tumor immune microenvironment of SCLC: Mechanisms, and opportunities for immunotherapy

Cancer Treat Rev. 2023 Nov:120:102606. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102606. Epub 2023 Aug 7.

Authors

Yunfei Chen¹, Hui Li², Yun Fan³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; Postgraduate Training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
² Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; Postgraduate Training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China. Electronic address: love_soc_2007@126.com.
³ Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; Postgraduate Training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China. Electronic address: fanyun@zjcc.org.cn.

PMID: 37579532
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102606

Abstract

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a very aggressive neuroendocrine tumor with a poor prognosis. Whereas immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for treating SCLC, its unique tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) might limit patient responses. To fully characterize the TIME and understand the mechanism of its formation with respect to SCLC is crucial. The recent rapid development of multi-omics technologies has rapidly advanced knowledge of TIME features and the regulatory mechanisms associated with SCLC. This review summarizes the TIME features of SCLC as well as shaping the TIME according to the genomics, epigenomics, and metabolomics of tumors. Future opportunities and challenges for immunotherapy are also discussed.

Keywords: Immunotherapy; Small cell lung cancer; Tumor immune microenvironment.

Publication types

Review