Study reveals tumor microenvironment factors linked to immunotherapy resistance in lung cancer

A recent study published in Nature Genetics examined the tumor microenvironment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to understand why some patients resist neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy. Researchers analyzed tumor samples from 19 patients, identifying distinct cellular compositions linked to treatment responses. The study found that non-responders had higher levels of certain cancer-associated fibroblasts (COL11A1 + CAFs) and fewer CD8 T cells compared to responders. These CAFs were concentrated at tumor boundaries, potentially blocking immune cell interactions with tumor cells. Additionally, the research identified 14 cancer cell states, with some linked to better survival outcomes. The findings suggest that targeting multiple components of the tumor microenvironment may improve treatment strategies for NSCLC patients.