Deciphering the CAF‑LCN2 axis: Key to overcoming anti‑PD‑L1 immunotherapy resistance in lung cancer.

ABSTRACT: Lung cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy associated with a high global mortality rate. Immunotherapy, particularly anti‑programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‑1) therapy, has offered new hope for patients; however, therapeutic resistance remains a major obstacle to clinical success. In the present study, single‑cell RNA sequencing was utilized to investigate the molecular characteristics of lung cancer and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying resistance to anti‑PD‑1 immunotherapy. Cancer‑associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were identified as key contributors to immune resistance. Functional assays, including CCK‑8, EdU, TUNEL and Transwell experiments, demonstrated that CAFs regulated the expression of lipocalin 2 (LCN2) in lung cancer cells, and elevated LCN2 levels were found to promote re

SUBMITTER: Xiao D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12848479 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature