Abstract 2279: Tumor treating fields induce immune modulation in non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of most common lung cancers in the general population. KRAS mutations occur in 15-30% of NSCLC. The mutation results in continuous activation of KRAS, triggering multiple kinase signaling pathways. The oncogenic features of KRAS mutations are in line with clinical observations that NSCLC patients with KRAS mutations have a worse prognosis with less benefit from chemotherapies. Although the targeted inhibition of KRAS G12C mutation in NSCLC has achieved remarkable success, the inhibition of KRAS G12D has not yet been successful. It has been reported that KRAS mutations can facilitate the development of immunosuppressive properties of the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, KRAS mutations can up-regulate regulatory T cell (Treg) population. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are a cancer therapy based on noninvasive delivery of electric fields. Our current in vitro study was performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from a transgenic mouse lung cancer model with a KRAS G12D mutation. Our data showed that TTFields treatment decreased CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells intensity prepared from PBMC compared to untreated cells by flow cytometric determination. In addition, CD4+ T cells prepared from TTFields treated PBMC have enhanced IFN-γ expression levels compared to untreated PBMC. These results suggest TTFields treatment appear to correct the immunosuppressive properties created by KRAS mutations. Therefore, in vivo treatment for the inducible lung cancer with KRAS activating mutations is needed to confirm the in vitro results. In conclusion, TTFields are a potential therapeutic tool for NSCLC with KRAS G12D mutation. Citation Format: Suhe Wang, James R. Baker, Jesse Chen, Zhengyi Cao, Jayme Cannon. Tumor treating fields induce immune modulation in non-small cell lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 2279.