Interactions between EGFR and PD-1/PD-L1 pathway: implications for treatment of NSCLC

X Li, Z Lian, S Wang, L Xing, J Yu - Cancer letters, 2018 - Elsevier
X Li, Z Lian, S Wang, L Xing, J Yu
Cancer letters, 2018Elsevier
Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed cell death receptor/ligand 1 (PD-
1/PD-L1) pathway displayed striking and durable clinical responses in patients with non-
small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it is still undefined about the efficacy of PD-1/PD-
L1 inhibitors in NSCLC patients with EGFR activating mutations. Preclinical studies indicate
the immune modulatory effect of EGFR signaling by regulating expression of MHC I/II and
PD-L1 on tumor cells and activity of lymphocytes. Thus, it might be practicable for the use of …
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed cell death receptor/ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) pathway displayed striking and durable clinical responses in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it is still undefined about the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in NSCLC patients with EGFR activating mutations. Preclinical studies indicate the immune modulatory effect of EGFR signaling by regulating expression of MHC I/II and PD-L1 on tumor cells and activity of lymphocytes. Thus, it might be practicable for the use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors as monotherapy or combined with EGFR-TKIs in patients with EGFR activating mutations. In this review, we discussed the regulation effect of EGFR signaling on PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and the potential mechanisms behind combing EGFR-TKIs with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. We also reviewed current available data on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors as monotherapy or combined with EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC with EGFR activating mutations, and explored possible factors influence its efficacy, which would be important considerations for future clinical trial designs.
Elsevier