Advances in Molecular Mechanisms and Immunotherapy Involving the Immune Cell-Promoted Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Lung Cancer

Figure 2

Hypothesis of the mechanism of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combination. (a) Within the TME, CD8⁺ T cells antitumoral activity is inhibited through several molecular pathways. (b) Addiction of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents helps CD8⁺ T-cell reactivation, by blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. (c) Addition of anti-CTLA-4 agents also inhibits Tregs, thus leading to the stimulatory binding of CD28 on CD8⁺ T cells with B7 on dendritic cells. (d) Further addition of anti-LAG3 agents could ultimately restore the CD8⁺ T cells activity against cancer cells, by enhancing T-cell receptor activity.

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