Immune Cellular Patterns of Distribution Affect Outcomes of Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Authors

Edwin Roger Parra
Jiexin Zhang
Mei Jiang
Auriole Tamegnon
Renganayaki Krishna Pandurengan
Carmen Behrens
Luisa Solis
Cara Haymaker
John Victor Heymach
Cesar Moran
Jack J Lee
Don Gibbons
Ignacio Ivan Wistuba

Publication Date

4-25-2023

Journal

Nature Communications

Abstract

Studying the cellular geographic distribution in non-small cell lung cancer is essential to understand the roles of cell populations in this type of tumor. In this study, we characterize the spatial cellular distribution of immune cell populations using 23 makers placed in five multiplex immunofluorescence panels and their associations with clinicopathologic variables and outcomes. Our results demonstrate two cellular distribution patterns-an unmixed pattern mostly related to immunoprotective cells and a mixed pattern mostly related to immunosuppressive cells. Distance analysis shows that T-cells expressing immune checkpoints are closer to malignant cells than other cells. Combining the cellular distribution patterns with cellular distances, we can identify four groups related to inflamed and not-inflamed tumors. Cellular distribution patterns and distance are associated with survival in univariate and multivariable analyses. Spatial distribution is a tool to better understand the tumor microenvironment, predict outcomes, and may can help select therapeutic interventions.

Keywords

Humans, Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung, Lung Neoplasms, T-Lymphocytes, Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating, Tumor Microenvironment, Cancer microenvironment

Comments

Supplementary Materials

PMID: 37185575