T lymphocyte heterogeneity in NSCLC: implications for biomarker development and therapeutic innovation

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) immunotherapy has been revolutionized by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), yet response heterogeneity persists due to dynamic tumor-immune interactions. This review summarizes recent studies in understanding tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) biology, highlight...

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Main Authors: Yu Liu, Denghui Qin, Jiejun Fu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1604310/full
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author Yu Liu
Yu Liu
Denghui Qin
Denghui Qin
Jiejun Fu
Jiejun Fu
Jiejun Fu
author_facet Yu Liu
Yu Liu
Denghui Qin
Denghui Qin
Jiejun Fu
Jiejun Fu
Jiejun Fu
author_sort Yu Liu
collection DOAJ
description Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) immunotherapy has been revolutionized by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), yet response heterogeneity persists due to dynamic tumor-immune interactions. This review summarizes recent studies in understanding tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) biology, highlighting CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) as pivotal regulators of immune surveillance and suppression. We summarize emerging biomarkers such as TCR clonality, spatial distribution of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and exhaustion markers including PD-1, TCF1, and TIM-3, which predict immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy beyond PD-L1 expression. This review specifically describes radiotherapy-induced immunogenic remodeling and peripheral T cell dynamics as innovative strategies to monitor immune response and resistance mechanisms. By integrating results from single-cell omics and AI-driven spatial analysis, we propose multidimensional frameworks of TIL in NSCLC to overcome resistance and optimize immunotherapy combinations. These insights collectively advance NSCLC immunotherapy toward precision modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment.
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issn 1664-3224
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Immunology
spelling doaj-art-1cae6486f6e44a7d8207d2f3fc7f63432025-08-20T02:38:21ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-05-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.16043101604310T lymphocyte heterogeneity in NSCLC: implications for biomarker development and therapeutic innovationYu Liu0Yu Liu1Denghui Qin2Denghui Qin3Jiejun Fu4Jiejun Fu5Jiejun Fu6Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaKey Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-Related Diseases, Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaCenter for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaKey Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-Related Diseases, Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaCenter for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaKey Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-Related Diseases, Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) immunotherapy has been revolutionized by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), yet response heterogeneity persists due to dynamic tumor-immune interactions. This review summarizes recent studies in understanding tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) biology, highlighting CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) as pivotal regulators of immune surveillance and suppression. We summarize emerging biomarkers such as TCR clonality, spatial distribution of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and exhaustion markers including PD-1, TCF1, and TIM-3, which predict immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy beyond PD-L1 expression. This review specifically describes radiotherapy-induced immunogenic remodeling and peripheral T cell dynamics as innovative strategies to monitor immune response and resistance mechanisms. By integrating results from single-cell omics and AI-driven spatial analysis, we propose multidimensional frameworks of TIL in NSCLC to overcome resistance and optimize immunotherapy combinations. These insights collectively advance NSCLC immunotherapy toward precision modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1604310/fullmelanomaT lymphocyteCD8 + T cellPD-1NRAS mutationsimmunotherapy combination therapy
spellingShingle Yu Liu
Yu Liu
Denghui Qin
Denghui Qin
Jiejun Fu
Jiejun Fu
Jiejun Fu
T lymphocyte heterogeneity in NSCLC: implications for biomarker development and therapeutic innovation
Frontiers in Immunology
melanoma
T lymphocyte
CD8 + T cell
PD-1
NRAS mutations
immunotherapy combination therapy
title T lymphocyte heterogeneity in NSCLC: implications for biomarker development and therapeutic innovation
title_full T lymphocyte heterogeneity in NSCLC: implications for biomarker development and therapeutic innovation
title_fullStr T lymphocyte heterogeneity in NSCLC: implications for biomarker development and therapeutic innovation
title_full_unstemmed T lymphocyte heterogeneity in NSCLC: implications for biomarker development and therapeutic innovation
title_short T lymphocyte heterogeneity in NSCLC: implications for biomarker development and therapeutic innovation
title_sort t lymphocyte heterogeneity in nsclc implications for biomarker development and therapeutic innovation
topic melanoma
T lymphocyte
CD8 + T cell
PD-1
NRAS mutations
immunotherapy combination therapy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1604310/full
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AT denghuiqin tlymphocyteheterogeneityinnsclcimplicationsforbiomarkerdevelopmentandtherapeuticinnovation
AT denghuiqin tlymphocyteheterogeneityinnsclcimplicationsforbiomarkerdevelopmentandtherapeuticinnovation
AT jiejunfu tlymphocyteheterogeneityinnsclcimplicationsforbiomarkerdevelopmentandtherapeuticinnovation
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