AUTHOR=Sereno Maria , Hernandez de Córdoba Irene , Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez Gerardo , Casado Enrique TITLE=Brain metastases and lung cancer: molecular biology, natural history, prediction of response and efficacy of immunotherapy JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology VOLUME=14 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1297988 DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2023.1297988 ISSN=1664-3224 ABSTRACT=

Brain metastases stemming from lung cancer represent a common and challenging complication that significantly impacts patients’ overall health. The migration of these cancerous cells from lung lesions to the central nervous system is facilitated by diverse molecular changes and a specific environment that supports their affinity for neural tissues. The advent of immunotherapy and its varied combinations in non-small cell lung cancer has notably improved patient survival rates, even in cases involving brain metastases. These therapies exhibit enhanced penetration into the central nervous system compared to traditional chemotherapy. This review outlines the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of brain metastases in lung cancer and explores the efficacy of novel immunotherapy approaches and their combinations