Immunotherapy has become the cornerstone of current malignant tumor treatment.However,the response of different patients to immunotherapy is highly heterogeneous,and not all patients can benefit from it.There is an urgent need to find biomarkers that can effectively predict the efficacy of immunotherapy.C-C chemokine ligand 4(CCL4)is a cytokine,belonging to the inflammatory CCL subfamily.It is mainly secreted by immune cells and tumor cells and shows low or no expression in normal tissues but abnormally high expression in various malignant tumor tissues.After binding to CCL4 and its receptor C-C chemokine receptor type 5(CCR5),it can recruit and mediate immune cell migration,destroy the stabili-ty of the tumor microenvironment(TME),participate in carcinogenesis and promote the development of tumors.In the tumor immune microenvironment,CCL4 can mediate and recruit the directed migration of key immune cells such as monocytes,macrophages,natural killer(NK)cells,and T cells,which makes it a potentially important element affecting the efficacy of im-munotherapy and has specific value.This paper reviews the research progresses of CCL4's effects on immune escape in TME,in order to provide clues and references for basic research and clinical diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Targeted therapy for patients with driver genes positive and immunotherapy for patients with driver gene-negative but high programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression are the standards of first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The treatment options for patients with driver gene positive and high PD-L1 expression are still worth exploring. METHODS: The characteristics of 315 patients with NSCLC were identified to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with driver gene positive and high PD-L1 expression, and the efficacy of targeted therapy. RESULTS: Among the 315 patients, the total positive rate of driver genes was 62.2%, and the high PD-L1 expression rate (≥50.0%) was 11.2%. The proportion of patients with driver gene positive and high PD-L1 expression was 10.7%. PD-L1 was highly expressed in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, KRAS mutation, ALK fusion, BRAF mutation, and MET 14 exon skip mutation, the proportions were 7.8% (11/141), 18.2% (4/22), and 23.1%, (3/13), 50.0% (2/4) and 100.0% (1/1) respectively. EGFR mutation positive with PD-L1 high expression was mainly in patients with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma. KRAS mutation positive with PD-L1 high expression was mainly in patients with a history of smoking. Among them, two patients were followed in detail for targeted therapy, who with ALK fusion-positive and PD-L1 high expression (90.0%), EGFR L858R mutation and PD-L1 high expression (70.0%) respectively. The total OS of the patients was 5 months, 2 months. CONCLUSIONS The high PD-L1 expression rate in NSCLC patients with different driver gene mutations was variable, which maybe correlated with distinct clinicopathological characteristics. Patients with sensitive mutations and high PD-L1 expression may be less benefit from targeted therapy and have poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND: The patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma should select targeted drugs based on the type of tumor epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation. However, it is difficult to collect tumor tissue of advanced lung adenocarcinoma, and some experts agree that peripheral blood can be used as a substitute for tumor tissue as a test specimen. This paper aimed to investigate the clinical value of ddPCR and super-amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) in detecting EGFR gene mutation in peripheral blood of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: A total of 119 patients diagnosed in Beijing Chest Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from February 2016 to February 2019 were collected, and the sensitivity and specificity of plasma ctDNA EGFR gene mutation detected by ddPCR and super-arms were compared. Some patients with positive EGFR gene mutations received oral treatment with first-line EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI). The patients were divided into subgroups according to the test results. In group 1, both ddPCR and super-arms showed positive EGFR gene mutation results, with 21 cases. In group 2, ddPCR and super-arms detection of EGFR gene mutation were all negative, with 16 cases. In group 3, the ddPCR test was positive and the super-arms test was negative, with 5 cases. In group 4, the ddPCR test result was negative while the super-arms test result was positive. Since the number of patients in group 4 was 0, no statistics were included. Objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were used to evaluate the short-term outcome, and progression-free survival (PFS) was compared with survival analysis to evaluate the long-term outcome. RESULTS: EGFR mutations were detected in 58 (48.7%) of 119 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. The coincidence rate between ddPCR and EGFR gene mutation in tumor tissues was 82.4% (Kappa=0.647, P<0.001), the sensitivity was 74.1%, and the specificity was 90.2%. However, the coincidence degree of super-arms test and tissue test was 71.4%, the sensitivity was only 58.6%, and the specificity was 83.6%. The ORR and DCR values in group 3 were lower than those in group 1 and 2, but there was no significant difference in ORR between groups (P>0.05). Survival analysis showed that the PFS of the three groups was compared. The difference was not statistically significant (χ²=2.221, P=0.329). CONCLUSIONS ddPCR, as a high sensitivity and specificity liquid gene detection method, can be used as a reliable method to detect the mutation of plasma ctDNA EGFR gene in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. The results of plasma genetic testing can also be used as the basis for predicting the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in patients.

Objective To investigate the effects of different cyclic tensile strains on the proliferation and expression of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs)-cocultured human degenerated anulus fibrosus (AF) cells. Methods AF cells were isolated from a patient with degenerated intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD), which were co-cultured with BMSCs. The solely cultured AF cells were used as control group. The two groups of cells were expanded in monolayer, and cyclically strained for 3 hours, which were applied 0, 5%, 10%, 15%and 20%strains at a frequency of 0.25 Hz using BioDynamic test instrument. A flow cytometry method was used to examine the AF cell proliferation at 24 hours followed the application of cyclic tensile strains. After the total RNA was extracted, real-time PCR technology was used to detect the gene expression of collagenⅠand aggrecan. Results Under the same appropriate stress, the proliferative index (PI), the proportion of cells in the period of DNA synthesis, the expression of collagenⅠand aggrecan were significantly higher in the co-cultured group than those of control group (P<0.05). However, the best mechanical stimulation was different in the two groups. For the AF cells, the peaks of PI, the proportion of cells in the period of S period, the expression of collagenⅠand aggrecan were found in the 10% strain group, while for the co-cultured cells, they were found in the 15% strain group. Conclusion Co-culturing with BMSCs has a positive effect on the proliferation and expression of human degenerative fibrous ring cells, which can protect AF cells from bad stress stimulation.

Background and objective Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been transformed from the treatment according to histological type to genotype treatment model. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) genes are the most important drivers in lung cancer. The aim of this study is to explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with advanced NSCLC with different genotypes. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 553 advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations and ALK positive who were hospitalized in the Beijing Chest Hospital from July 2004 to December 2015, and the independent prognostic factors of pa-tients were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results The clinical data of 553 patients (227 with EGFR mutations, 58 with ALK positive, 2 with EGFR and ALK co-mutation and 266 with wild-type) with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in this study. The median survival time of 227 patients with EGFR mutations was 28.7 mo (95%CI: 22.160-35.240), and the performance status (PS) score (0-1) (HR=4.451; 95%CI: 2.112-9.382; P<0.001) and EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs) targeted therapy (HR=2.785; 95%CI: 1.871-4.145; P<0.001) were the independent prognostic factors for the survival of patients harboring EGFR mutations. The median survival time of 58 patients with ALK positive was 15.5 mo (95%CI:10.991-20.009), and treatment with crizotinib (P=0.022) was the independent influence factor for the survival of ALK positive patients. The median survival time of 266 patients with wild-type was 12.1 mo (95%CI: 10.660-13.540), and the PS score (0-1) (HR=2.313; 95%CI: 1.380-3.877; P=0.001) and treatment with chemotherapy (HR=1.911; 95%CI: 1.396-2.616; P<0.001) were the independent prognostic factors for the survival of wild-type patients. Conclusion The prognosis of patients with advanced NSCLC is associated with genetic mutation, and targeted therapy has a improvement on survival for patients with EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangement.

Background and objective Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KARS) mutation is one of the major driver genes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). KARS is a resistant predictor of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), which raises controversy because of its role in chemotherapy sensitivity and prognosis. hTe aim of this study is to accumulate clinical experience in treating NSCLC patients harboringKARSmutation.MethodsA total of 107 NSCLC patients harboringKARSmutation were analyzed retrospectively. hTe effcacy was analyzed in terms of ifrst-line chemotherapy or EGFR-TKIs therapy.Results hTe objective response rate (ORR) to ifrst-line chemotherapy of 52 pa-tients with advanced disease harboringKARS mutation was 9.6%. hTe disease control rate (DCR) was 53.8%, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3 months. hTe ORR to EGFR-TKIs therapy in 21 patients harboringKARS mutation and EGFR/KARS co-mutation was 9.5%; the DCR was 23.8%, and the median PFS was 1 month. hTe ORR and DCR to EGFR-TKIs therapy of patients withEGFR/KARS co-mutation were signiifcantly higher than those of patients withKARS mutation (50%vs 0,P=0.029; 75%vs 11.8%,P=0.043); the median PFS was also signiifcantly longer (3 monthsvs 1 month,P=0.004). Conclusion hTe effcacy to ifrst-line chemotherapy and EGFR-TKIs therapy in NSCLC patients harboringKARS mutation was poor; thus, new drugs should be developed. Furthermore, the existence ofEGFR/KARS co-mutation was conifrmed. Hence, EGFR-TKIs therapy should be administered to patients withEGFR/KARS co-mutation.

Background and objectiveAnaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an important subtype of lung cancer. hTe standard modality of ALK-positive NSCLC with brain metastases re-mains uncertain.MethodsWe collected data on clinical characteristics and treatment of patients with ALK-positive NSCLC and brain metastases between March 2013 and March 2016 and retrospectively analyzed patient outcomes.Results In 84 ALK-positive patients with advanced NSCLC, 22 (26.2%) had brain metastases during the initial diagnosis of lung cancer, among which 3 patients with EGFR mutation were excluded, and 19 patients were analyzed. Median intracranial progression-free survival (PFS) was 12.0 months. PFS for patients who received first-line local brain therapy (P=0.021) and crizotinib therapy (P=0.030) was superior to PFS for patients without such therapies. PFS for patients who received ifrst-line crizotinib combined with local brain therapy was 27.0 months and only 4.2 months for those who received crizotinib alone.Conclusion First-line crizotinib therapy combined with local brain treatment can improve intracranial PFS for ALK-positive NSCLC with brain metastases. hTis ifnding should be conifrmed further through multicenter, prospective clinical trials with large sample size.

Background and objective Status of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene is a predictor of response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). However, lile is know about the relationship between EGFR status and response to chemotherapy. We evaluated the prediction value of EGFR mutation status on response to first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods e data of 181 patients with stage IIIb/IV NSCLC who diagnosed by histopathology from January 10, 2006 to December 20, 2013 in Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University were collected. e relationships between EGFR gene status, clinical characteristics and response and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. Results All of the 181 patients’ EGFR statuses were determined. 75 (41.4%) patients har-bored EGFR-activating mutations and 106 (58.6%) patients were EGFR wild-type. All patients received first-line chemother-apy. e objective response rate (ORR) was 26.0% and disease control rate (DCR) was 70.2%. Patients with EGFR-activating mutations had a higher DCR than patients with EGFR wild-type (84.0% vs 60.4%, P=0.001) did. Subgroup analysis showed that the ORR and DCR in patients with EGFR exon 19 deletions were remarkably higher than those with EGFR wild-type (P= 0.049, 0.002, respectively). e DCR in patients with EGFR exon 21 L858R mutation was significantly higher than that in patients with EGFR wild-type (P=0.010). 168 patients were available for response evaluation in all of 181 patients and median PFS was 4.3 mo. e PFS of patients with adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that patients with squamous cell carci-noma (4.7 mo vs 3.0 mo, P=0.036). e PFS in patients harbored EGFR-activating mutations was significantly higher than that in the patients with EGFR wild-type (6.3 mo vs 3.0 mo, P=0.002). e PFS of patients with a performance status (PS) of 0-1 was significantly higher than that in patients with a PS of 2 (4.4 months vs. 0.7 months, P= 0.016). Cox multivariate analysis indicates the EGFR-activating mutation is an independent factor aecting PFS (HR=0.654, 95%CI: 0.470-0.909, P=0.012). Conclusion EGFR-activating mutation is a predictor for PFS of first-line chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC patients.

Background and objective Activating mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and KARS are important markers in non-small cell lung cancer. However, EGFR and KARS gene mutations in lung squamous cell carcinoma are rarely reported. hTe aim of this study was to analyze EGFR and KARS gene mutation rate and their relationship with clinical features in patients with lung squamous cell carcinomas. Methods A total of 139 patients undergoing treatment for na?ve lung squamous cell carcinomas with tumor tissue samples available for testing were recruited. EGFR and KARS mutation statuses of the tumor samples were detected using a mutant enriched liquid chip. Results Of the 139 cases of lung squamous cell carcinoma, EGFR mutations were detected in 25 cases (18%), KARS mutations were detected in 7 cases (5%), and the pres-ence of both EGFR and KARS mutations was detected in 1 case (0.7%). EGFR mutations occurred more otfen in females than in males (33.3%vs 16.5%) and in patients that never smoked than in those who smoke (29.6%vs 16.1%). However, the differ-ence did not reach statistical signiifcance (P>0.05). No signiifcant differences were observed in age, stage, and different biopsy type. KARS mutations occurred more otfen in males than in females (5.5%vs 0%), but the difference did not reach statistical signiifcance (P>0.05). No signiifcant differences were observed in age, stage, different biopsy type, and smoking status (P>0.05). Conclusion EGFR and KARS mutations were low in lung squamous cell carcinomas, and had no signiifcant correlation with clinical features. Before using tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeted therapy, EGFR and KARS mutations should be detected in pa-tients with lung squamous cell carcinomas.

Background and objectiveMutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) andKARS are im-portant markers in non-small cell lung cancer, which are closely related to the clinical therapeutic effect. To analysis theEGFR andKARS gene mutation rate and its relationship with clinical features in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.Methods395 patients with treatment na?ve lung adenocarcinoma, tumor tissue samples were available for testing. Tumor sampleEGFR and KARS mutation status were detected using mutant enriched liquidchip.Results 395 cases of lung adenocarcinoma,EGFR mutations were detected in 192 cases (48.9%),KARS mutations were detected in 29 cases (7.8%), and the presence ofEGFR andKARS mutation were detected in 1 case (0.3%).EGFR mutations were found to occur signiifcantly more otfen in female than in male patients (62.0%vs 37.1%,P<0.001) and in never smokers than in smokers (61.9%vs 30.3%,P<0.001), no sig-niifcant differences were observed in age, stage and different biopsy type.KARS mutations were not found to have statistical signiifcance (P>0.05) in each clinical factors, only occurred in the wild typeEGFR gene in patients (13.5%, 27/200) was sig-niifcantly higher than that of patients withEGFR mutation (1.0%, 2/192), the difference was statistically signiifcant (P<0.001). ConclusionIn lung adenocarcinomas,EGFR mutation was higher in female and non-smoking patients,KARS mutation only in patients with wild-typeEGFR gene was higher. Before using TKI targeted therapy,EGFR andKARS mutations should be detected.