WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-EP.06.12 Kita-Kyusyu Lung Cancer Antigen-1 Positive Is Associated With Pathological High-Grade in Lung Adenocarcinoma

EP.06.12 Kita-Kyusyu Lung Cancer Antigen-1 Positive Is Associated With Pathological High-Grade in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Pdf Summary

This study investigated the expression and clinical significance of Kita-Kyushu Lung Cancer antigen-1 (KK-LC-1), a cancer-testis antigen (CTA), in lung adenocarcinoma. CTAs are proteins typically expressed in cancer and testis cells but not in normal tissues, making them promising targets for immunotherapy. KK-LC-1, recognized by CD8 T cells, is involved in cancer cell proliferation and migration. Previous studies indicated KK-LC-1 expression in about 30% of lung cancers and an association with lymph node metastasis, primarily detected via RT-PCR.<br /><br />Using a unique antibody capable of clear KK-LC-1 immunostaining, the researchers analyzed 110 resected lung adenocarcinoma cases. They found KK-LC-1 positivity in 39 cases and observed that positive expression was significantly associated with pathological high-grade features, including larger invasive tumor size, higher pathological stage, lymphatic and vascular invasion, and increased use of adjuvant therapy. KK-LC-1 positivity was particularly linked to more aggressive histological patterns such as solid and micropapillary subtypes.<br /><br />Survival analysis showed that KK-LC-1 positive patients had poorer recurrence-free survival (RFS), though overall survival (OS) differences were not statistically significant. The study noted discrepancies in survival impact across previous reports, likely due to different detection methods. Importantly, emerging immunotherapies such as T cell receptor (TCR) gene-engineered T cells targeting KK-LC-1 show promise, with clinical trials underway.<br /><br />In conclusion, KK-LC-1 immunostaining serves as a marker for pathological high-grade and poor RFS in lung adenocarcinoma, suggesting KK-LC-1 positive tumors could benefit from novel TCR reconstitution immunotherapies. This provides a basis for personalized treatment approaches targeting KK-LC-1 in lung cancer patients.

Asset Subtitle

Yasuto Kondo

Meta Tag

Speaker Yasuto Kondo

Topic Pathology and Biomarkers

Keywords

Kita-Kyushu Lung Cancer antigen-1

KK-LC-1

cancer-testis antigen

lung adenocarcinoma

immunostaining

pathological high-grade features

recurrence-free survival

T cell receptor gene-engineered T cells

immunotherapy

personalized treatment