Basis of Tumor Microenvironment Relevant to Immunotherapies for Brain Metastases of NSCLC

Brain is the most frequent site for distant metastases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Brain metastasis (BM) is also the leading cause of disabilities and death in advanced NSCLC. In recent years, the application and effectiveness of small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors has formed the basis for the treatment of NSCLC brain metastases with driver gene mutations. With the development of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors and relevant combination therapies, immunotherapy has become an important choice for non-classic oncogene addicted NSCLC BM patients. Also, the roles of relevant biomarkers are increasingly standing out. By reason of the particular immunopathological features of NSCLC brain metastases and its microenvironment, the aim of this review is to summarize relevant research progresses and provide more references for combination strategies of different therapeutic methods as well as the development of novel immunotherapies. 
 DOI: 10.3779/j.issn.1009-3419.2019.08.06
Source: Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research