Gefitinib enhances the anti‑tumor immune response against EGFR‑mutated NSCLC by upregulating B7H5 expression and activating T cells via CD28H.

ABSTRACT: Gefitinib is a sensitive and effective drug to treat non‑small‑cell lung cancer (NSCLC) carrying the somatic activating mutations of the tyrosine kinase domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In the present study, a new mechanism of action of gefitinib in EGFR‑mutated NSCLC cells was discovered using in vitro co‑culture of NSCLC cells with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Gefitinib significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of PBMCs against NSCLC cells expressing mutated EGFR but not in cells expressing wild‑type EGFR. Furthermore, it was observed that B7H5 expression was significantly lower in EGFR‑mutant cells than in wild‑type cells, while inhibition of EGFR by gefitinib or reduction in EGFR using a small interfering RNA (siRNA) both increased the expression o

SUBMITTER: Guo H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9581114 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature