Neoadjuvant chemotherapy enhances anti-tumor immune response of tumor microenvironment in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Although chemotherapy has been an essential treatment for cancer, the development of immune checkpoint blockade therapy was revolutionary, and a comprehensive understanding of the immunological tumor microenvironment (TME) has become crucial. Here, we investigated the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on immune cells in the TME of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma using single cell RNA-sequencing. Analysis of 30 fresh samples revealed that CD8+/CD4+ T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and macrophages in the TME of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma showed higher levels of an anti-tumor immune response in the NAC(+) group than in the NAC(-) group. Furthermore, the immune cells of the NAC(+) group interacted with each other resulting in enhanced anti-tumor immune response via various cytokines, including IFNG in CD8+/CD4+ T cells, EBI3 in DCs, and NAMPT in macrophages. Our results suggest that NAC potentially enhances the anti-tumor immune response of immune cells in the TME.

Automated summary

Although chemotherapy remains important, the development of immune checkpoint blockade therapy has been revolutionary, highlighting the importance of understanding the immunological tumor microenvironment (TME). Single cell RNA-sequencing analysis of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma samples revealed that neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) enhanced the anti-tumor immune response of CD8+/CD4+ T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and macrophages in the TME. The interaction between immune cells in the NAC(+) group via various cytokines, including IFNG, EBI3, and NAMPT, further enhanced the anti-tumor immune response.