The Effect of Different Concentrations of Anti-PD-1 and Anti-PD-L1 Antibodies on the Activity of Immune System Cells in Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Abstract The last century was full of numerous scientific discoveries that allowed us to understand the operation and functioning of one of the most complex human systems, i.e. the immune system. One of the most important discoveries was the work of prof. James Alison and Prof. Tasuko Honjo on the development of anti-cancer therapy by inhibiting negative immune regulation (PD-1 and CTLA-4 molecules). Knowledge of the action of these molecules and their huge role in inhibiting the activity of the immune system, e.g. during the developing cancer, created the basis for the development of specific monoclonal antibodies, without which clinicians of many specialties cannot imagine modern cancer therapies. However, the side effects of the therapies used are still quite troublesome, as they can even lead to the death of the patient. In order to minimize the side effects, it would be necessary to reduce the dose, but still maintain the effective level of anticancer activity of the cells of the immune system. In the presented study, 24-hour cultures of PBMC isolated from peripheral blood and bronchoaspirate with various concentrations of nivolumab or atezolizumab were performed. The expression results of the individual activation markers on cultured cells were compared to the expression of these markers on cells not subjected to cell culture. The results of the research work may indicate that individualized dosage of anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 antibodies may in the future contribute to the effective activation of the immune system cells while minimizing the side effects of the therapy.