A Review of Natural Products Targeting Tumor Immune Microenvironments for the Treatment of Lung Cancer

Pengyu Yao¹ Su Liang^1* Zhenying Liu² Cuiping Xu^3*

• ¹Jinan Maternity And Child Care Hospital affiliated to Shandong first Medical University, China
• ²China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, China
• ³The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, China

Lung cancer(LC) produces some of the most malignant tumors in the world, with high morbidity and mortality. Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), a component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), are critical in tumor development, immune escape, and drug resistance. The TIME is composed of various immune cells, immune cytokines, etc, which are important biological characteristics and determinants of tumor progression and outcomes. In this paper, we reviewed the recently published literature and discussed the potential uses of natural products in regulating TIME.We observed that a total of 37 natural compounds have been reported to exert anti-cancer effects by targeting the TIME. In different classes of natural products, terpenoids are the most frequently mentioned compounds. TAMs are one of the most investigated immune cells about therapies with natural products in TIME, with 9 natural products acting through it. 17 natural products exhibit anticancer properties in LC by modulating PD-1 and PD-L1 protein activity. These natural products have been extensively evaluated in animal and cellular LC models, but their clinical trials in LC patients are lacking. Based on the current review, we have revealed that the mechanisms of LC can be treated with natural products through TIME intervention, resulting in a new perspective and potential therapeutic drugs.