Killer cells against the most aggressive lung cancer

Researchers at the Cima University of Navarra have developed a strategy that significantly reduces the most aggressive lung cancer. It is a new activation of NK (natural killer) lymphocytes that has demonstrated its efficacy in animal models of small cell lung cancer.

One of the characteristics of this subject of cancer is its immunosuppression, that is, its capacity to disable the immune system so that it does not confront the tumor. "Our research has consisted of a strategy aimed at eliminating this immunosuppression and reactivating NKs lymphocyte function. We have used animal models of small cell lung cancer and combined treatments with the drug Dasatinib and immunotherapy, such as the immune checkpoint inhibitors PD-1 and CTLA4," explains Dr. Alfonso Calvo, researcher at the GEarly Detection and New Therapeutic Targets for Lung Cancer Group at the Cima University of Navarra and director of the study. and director of the study. 

The work, which is part of the "SOSCLC - AECC"project , has shown that this novel combination produces a very significant reduction in tumors. "In this context, we have confirmed that the antitumor effect depends on the reactivation of "killer" lymphocytes and the reduction of a population of immunosuppressive cells called regulatory T cells," says Nerea Otegui, predoctoral researcher at Cima and first author of the publication.

Blood analysis of immune cells

Another of the study's conclusions is that the therapy increases the levels of a factor that manager the recruitment of active immune cells in the tumor, called CCL5. As Dr. Calvo points out, "in particular, patients who have high levels of CCL5 in their blood respond better to standard treatment (chemo-immunotherapy)".

The results of this research, integrated at the Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra and published in the scientific journal Cancer Research, suggest the importance of using strategies that promote the activation of "killer" lymphocytes in the most aggressive lung cancer. "In parallel, testing CCL5 in blood could provide relevant information on whether patients will respond to therapy," concludes the Cima researcher . 

The work, carried out within the framework of CIBER Cancer (CIBERONC), has received public funding from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and the European Union, as well as the support of the Spanish association Against Cancer, through the financial aid challenge AECC 70% Survival. 

bibliographicreference letter
- Cancer Research. 2025 Jul 25. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-24-2772
Dasatinib Remodels the Tumor Microenvironment and Sensitizes Small Cell Lung Cancer to Immunotherapy