Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Increases Cytotoxic T Cell, Tissue Resident Memory T Cell, and B Cell Infiltration in Resectable NSCLC

Abstract

Introduction: The combination of programmed cell death protein-1 or programmed death-ligand 1 immune checkpoint blockade and chemotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of advanced NSCLC, but the mechanisms underlying this synergy remain incompletely understood. In this study, we explored the relationships between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the immune microenvironment (IME) of resectable NSCLC to identify novel mechanisms by which chemotherapy may enhance the effect of immune checkpoint blockade.

Methods: Genomic, transcriptomic, and immune profiling data of 511 patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery (NCT) versus upfront surgery (US) were compared with determined differential characteristics of the IMEs derived from whole-exome sequencing (NCT = 18; US = 73), RNA microarray (NCT = 45; US = 202), flow cytometry (NCT = 17; US = 39), multiplex immunofluorescence (NCT = 10; US = 72), T-cell receptor sequencing (NCT = 16 and US = 63), and circulating cytokines (NCT = 18; US = 73).

Results: NCT was associated with increased infiltration of cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells and CD20⁺ B cells. Moreover, NCT was associated with increases in CD8⁺CD103⁺ and CD4⁺CD103⁺PD-1⁺TIM3^- tissue resident memory T cells. Gene expression profiling supported memory function of CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells. However, NCT did not affect T-cell receptor clonality, richness, or tumor mutational burden. Finally, NCT was associated with decreased plasma BDNF (TrkB) at baseline and week 4 after surgery.

Conclusions: Our study supports that, in the context of resectable NSCLC, neoadjuvant chemotherapy promotes antitumor immunity through T and B cell recruitment in the IME and through a phenotypic change toward cytotoxic and memory CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ memory helper T cells.

Keywords: B cell; Cytotoxic T cell; Neoadjuvant chemotherapy; Non–small cell lung cancer; Tissue resident memory T cell.