Unlocking the potential of CD70 as a novel immunotherapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer

Although normally restricted to activated T and B cells and mature dendritic cells, constitutive expression of CD70, a member of the tumor necrosis family, has been described in both hematological and solid tumors, where it increases tumor cell and regulatory T cell survival by signaling through its receptor, CD27. We have assessed the co-expression of CD70 and CD27 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by immunohistochemistry to explore a correlation between expression of the protein and tumor histologic subtype, genetic aberrations and prognosis. Furthermore, we tested the ability of ARGX-110, a CD70-blocking antibody, to induce NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Our results revealed CD70 expression on the surface of both primary and metastatic NSCLC tumor cells and in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, CD27-expressing tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were found adjacent to the tumor cells, suggesting active CD70-mediated signaling. Finally, we have shown that ARGX-110, has potent cytotoxic effects on CD70(+) NSCLC cell lines.