Advancing Understanding of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Multiplexed Antibody-Based Spatial Imaging Technologies

Cancers (Basel). 2023 Sep 29;15(19):4797. doi: 10.3390/cancers15194797.

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a cause of significant morbidity and mortality, despite significant advances made in its treatment using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) over the last decade; while a minority experience prolonged responses with ICIs, benefit is limited for most patients. The development of multiplexed antibody-based (MAB) spatial tissue imaging technologies has revolutionised analysis of the tumour microenvironment (TME), enabling identification of a wide range of cell types and subtypes, and analysis of the spatial relationships and interactions between them. Such study has the potential to translate into a greater understanding of treatment susceptibility and resistance, factors influencing prognosis and recurrence risk, and identification of novel therapeutic approaches and rational treatment combinations to improve patient outcomes in the clinic. Herein we review studies that have leveraged MAB technologies to deliver novel insights into the TME of NSCLC.

Keywords: NSCLC; cytometry; immuno-oncology; immunofluorescence; immunohistochemistry; microenvironment; multiplex; spatial.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

This research received no dedicated external funding. S.G. is a recipient of a National Institute for Health Research-funded Academic Clinical Fellowship.