Osimertinib exacerbates immune checkpoint inhibitor-related severe adverse events by activating the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway in macrophages

Objective: The combination of epithelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) leads to an increased incidence of severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs). However, the mechanisms underlying macrophages in irAEs have not been elucid...

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Main Authors: Yuan Li, Yanping Chen, Yuan Meng, Meng Shen, Fan Yang, Xiubao Ren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: China Anti-Cancer Association 2024-12-01
Series:Cancer Biology & Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.cancerbiomed.org/content/21/12/1156
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Summary:Objective: The combination of epithelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) leads to an increased incidence of severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs). However, the mechanisms underlying macrophages in irAEs have not been elucidated. Methods: An osimertinib and ICI-induced irAE mouse model was constructed. Lung micro-CT scans were used to assess the degree of inflammatory infiltration. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to analyze the histopathologic inflammatory infiltration in mouse liver and lung tissues. Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentages of T cells, NK cells, and macrophages and the expression of EGFR. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum interleukin (IL)-6, alanine transaminase (ALT), ferritin, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels. Total RNA extracted from mouse liver macrophages was analyzed by RNA-seq. Simple Western blot analysis was used to detect the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway activation state. Results: Osimertinib combined with ICIs upregulated EGFR expression on macrophages with increased serum IL-6, ALT, and ferritin levels. RNA-seq and simple Western blot analysis of mouse liver macrophages confirmed that that the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway was activated in the combination treatment group. Ruxolitinib blocked the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway and significantly decreased the serum IL-6, ALT, and ferritin levels in the combination treatment group. Conclusions: An osimertinib and ICI-induced irAE mouse model was constructed that showed osimertinib combined with ICIs inhibited EGFR phosphorylation and activated the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in mouse liver macrophages, which led to the release of relevant cytokines.
ISSN:2095-3941