Impacts of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on the immune landscape of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Jing Wen, Shuogui Fang, Yi Hu, Mian Xi, Zelin Weng, Chuqing Pan, Kongjia Luo, Yihong Ling, Renchun Lai, Xiuying Xie, Xiaodan Lin, Ting Lin, Jiyang Chen, Qianwen Liu, Jianhua Fu, Hong Yang
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neoCRT) followed by surgery is the most common approach for locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. How neoCRT impacts ESCC tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) has not been fully understood. METHODS: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was conducted to examine the neoCRT-driven cellular and molecular dynamics in 8 pre- and 7 post-neoCRT ESCC samples from 8 male patients. FINDINGS: cDCs decreased after neoCRT. INTERPRETATION: Our comprehensive picture of the neoCRT-related immune changes provides deeper insights into immunological mechanisms associated with ESCC response to neoCRT, which may aid in future development of immune-strategies for improving ESCC treatment. FUNDING: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82072607).