Tumor-suppressive efficacy of let-7b microRNA against lung carcinogenesis is mediated by modulating the tumor microenvironment.

Abstract Lung cancer is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potential candidates for lung cancer therapy. However, a major limitation is the lack of an efficient delivery system to directly deliver miRNA to cancer cells while limiting exposure to healthy cells. In our previous studies on aerosolized let-7b in lung cancer prevention, let-7b showed good inhibition of B[a]P-induced lung adenoma with no side effects. In this study, we found that aerosolized let-7b decreased tumor growth in the LKR13 (KRAS mutant) syngeneic mouse model. Let-7b post-transcriptionally suppresses PD-L1 and PD-1 expression in the tumor immune microenvironment, suggesting that let-7 microRNAs may promote antitumor immunity in vivo. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) data showed that let-7b treatment decreased the expression of PD-1 in CD8+ T cells and reduced PD-L1 expression in lung tumor cells. Let-7b treatment also significantly changed the percentages of distinct CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) states. The proportion of CD8+ T cells mediating anti-tumor functions (EM-like CD8+ TILs) was increased significantly by let-7b treatment compared to control. In contrast, the CD8+ T cell subpopulation that has negative effects on anti-tumor immune response, exhausted CD8+ TILs, was significantly decreased by let-7b. Flow cytometry data showed that Let-7b treatment led to the accumulation of CD8+ T cells, granzyme B+ CD8+ T cells and IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cells in tumors, and a decrease of intratumoral Granulocyte-like myeloid derived suppressor cells (G-MDSC) cells. Our results suggest that the in vivo tumor-suppressive efficacy of let-7 is mediated, at least in part, by immune-promoting effects via down-regulating PD-L1 in tumors and/or PD-1 on CD8+ T cells. Citation Format: Qi Zhang, Jing Pan, Donghai Xiong, Yian Wang, Mark S. Miller, Alberto Izzotti, Ming You. Tumor-suppressive efficacy of let-7b microRNA against lung carcinogenesis is mediated by modulating the tumor microenvironment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2369.