Analysis of tumor-infiltrating exhausted T cells highlights IL-6 and PD1 blockade as a combined immunotherapy strategy for non-small cell lung cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Given the limitations of immunotherapy for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we investigated the phenotype and function of exhausted CD8⁺T cells and analyzed a novel combination immunotherapy to restore the effector killing function of tumor-infiltrating CD8⁺T lymphocyte (TIL).

Methods

We examined the expression and function of immunosuppressive molecules on CD8⁺T cells of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and TILs by using prospectively collected peripheral blood, pleural effusions, and tumor tissues from patients with NSCLC and correlated the results with clinical data. We then evaluated the effect of interleukin 6 (IL-6) stimulation on CD8⁺T cells. Finally, we assessed the effects of combined blocka

SUBMITTER: Zhang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11876966 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature