2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer (ePosters)-EP08.01-036. Low-dose EGFR-TKIs Directly Induce Maturation and Functional Activity of Human Dendritic Cells in an EGFR-independent manner

EP08.01-036. Low-dose EGFR-TKIs Directly Induce Maturation and Functional Activity of Human Dendritic Cells in an EGFR-independent manner

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The study investigated the effects of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) on human dendritic cells (DCs), which are involved in antigen presentation and immune system activation. The researchers generated immature DCs from peripheral blood monocytes and treated them with low-dose EGFR-TKIs. They found that the treatment induced maturation of the DCs, as evidenced by increased expression of maturation-associated markers. Additionally, the treated DCs showed enhanced immune-stimulatory capacities, including increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The effects were observed even in DCs that did not express the EGFR receptor.<br /><br />The findings suggest that low-dose EGFR-TKIs have the potential to stimulate an immune response against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly in cases where resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is observed. The study also highlights the possibility of combining EGFR-TKIs with ICIs as a therapeutic strategy for NSCLC. The researchers observed morphological changes in the DCs after exposure to low-dose EGFR-TKIs, including increased expression of maturation-associated markers. Furthermore, functional assays demonstrated a decrease in antigen uptake capacity and an increase in T-cell proliferation activity in response to low-dose EGFR-TKI treatment.<br /><br />Overall, the study suggests that low-dose EGFR-TKIs have immunostimulatory potential and could enhance or restore antitumor immune responses in NSCLC. These findings provide a rationale for the combined use of EGFR-TKIs and ICIs in the treatment of NSCLC, particularly in cases where resistance to ICIs is observed. The research was supported by a grant from Behringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Asset Subtitle

Hiroyuki Inoue

Meta Tag

Speaker Hiroyuki Inoue

Topic Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer - Immunotherapy

Keywords

epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors

EGFR-TKIs

human dendritic cells

antigen presentation

immune system activation

maturation-associated markers

pro-inflammatory cytokines

chemokines

non-small cell lung cancer

immune checkpoint inhibitors