In lung cancer, enrichment of the lower airway microbiota with oral commensals commonly occurs and ex vivo models support that some of these bacteria can trigger host transcriptomic signatures associated with carcinogenesis. Here, we show that this lower airway dysbiotic signature was more prevalent in group IIIB-IV TNM stage lung cancer and is associated with poor prognosis, as shown by decreased survival among subjects with early stage disease (I-IIIA) and worse tumor progression as measured by RECIST scores among subjects with IIIB-IV stage disease. In addition, this lower airway microbiota signature was associated with upregulation of IL-17, PI3K, MAPK and ERK pathways in airway transcriptome, and we identified Veillonella parvula as the most abundant taxon driving this association. In a KP lung cancer model, lower airway dysbiosis with V. parvula led to decreased survival, increased tumor burden, IL-17 inflammatory phenotype and activation of checkpoint inhibitor markers. Statement of Significance (50 word limit)Multiple lines of investigations have shown that the gut microbiota affects host immune response to immunotherapy in cancer. Here we support that the local airway microbiota modulates the host immune tone in lung cancer affecting tumor progression and prognosis.Research.

The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) pathway plays a physiologic protective role against xenobiotics and reactive oxygen species. However, activation of NRF2 provides a powerful selective advantage for tumors by rewiring metabolism to enhance proliferation, suppress various forms of stress, and promote immune evasion. Genetic, epigenetic, and posttranslational alterations that activate the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway are found in multiple solid tumors. Emerging clinical data highlight that alterations in this pathway result in resistance to multiple therapies. Here, we provide an overview of how dysregulation of the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway in cancer contributes to several hallmarks of cancer that promote tumorigenesis and lead to treatment resistance. Significance: Alterations in the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway are found in multiple cancer types. Activation of NRF2 leads to metabolic rewiring of tumors that promote tumor initiation and progression. Here we present the known alterations that lead to NRF2 activation in cancer, the mechanisms in which NRF2 activation promotes tumors, and the therapeutic implications of NRF2 activation.

We have confirmed in a sensory blockade model that QX-314 is a local anesthetic with a slow onset and a long duration of reversible blockade. Capsaicin, a transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor agonist, accelerated QX-314's onset kinetics, whereas capsazepine, a transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor antagonist, decreased QX-314's efficacy. These observations raise the possibility that endovanilloids may modulate cell entry of QX-314.

In Nrf2-activated tumors, G6pd inhibition depletes TCA intermediates and suppresses tumor growth.