Small cell lung cancer stem cells display mesenchymal properties and exploit immune checkpoint pathways in activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

ABSTRACT: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive tumor type with early dissemination and distant metastasis capacity. Even though optimal chemotherapy responses are observed initially in many patients, therapy resistance is almost inevitable. Accordingly, SCLC has been regarded as an archetype for cancer stem cell (CSC) dynamics. To determine the immune-modulatory influence of CSC in SCLC, this study focused on the characterization of CD44⁺CD90⁺ CSC-like subpopulations in SCLC. These cells displayed mesenchymal properties, differentiated into different lineages and further contributed to CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) responses. The interaction between CD44⁺CD90⁺ CSC-like cells and T cells led to the upregulation of checkpoint molecu

SUBMITTER: Kursunel MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8783896 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature