Differences of inflammatory microenvironment and sensitive correlation to cisplatin-chemotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most prevalent type of cancer worldwide and associated with high mortality rate. An effective treatment for NSCLC is urgently needed. This study aimed to investigate differences of inflammatory microenvironment and sensitive correlation to cisplatin-chemotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), thereby providing insights into the mechanisms underlying inflammation in NSCLC. Materials and methods: The resistance of A549 and SK-MES-1 cells to cisplatin treatment was determined by IC50. The migration and invasion capacity of A549 and SK-MES-1 cells was determined using migration and invasion assay kits. The apoptosis rate was evaluated. The protein expression levels of caspase-3 and Ki67 were measured by western blot. ELISA assay was used to determine the levels of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. Results: Patients with LUAD showed shorter survival than LUSC patients after the chemotherapy treatment. LUAD was more resistant to cisplatin treatment, corresponding with a higher IC50 observed in A549 cells than SK-MES-1 cells. Moreover, A549 cells showed higher migration and invasion capacity and lower apoptosis rate than SK-MES-1 cells. In addition, SK-MES-1 LUAD samples showed stronger inflammation response than LUAD samples and A549 cells. Accordingly, inflammation cytokines promoted the migration and invasion of SK-MES-1 cells, whereas inhibited cell apoptosis. Conclusions: The present study suggests that LUAD is more resistant to chemotherapy and shows a stronger inflammation response than LUSC. Inflammatory cytokines could enhance the resistance of LUAD to chemotherapy and further promote tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.