Yang Wang

Yang Wang


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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16 April 2026 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SLShuzhan Li
Shuzhan Li
JZJiali Zhang
Jiali Zhang
YWYang Wang
Yang Wang
ZHZhenzhen Hui
Zhenzhen Hui
XZXinwei Zhang
Xinwei Zhang
XRXiubao Ren
Xiubao Ren
Background: The chemokine CCL5 exhibits a complex role in cancer immunotherapy, yet its dual immunomodulatory functions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain poorly understood. Methods and Results: Based on a newly analyzed clinical cohort of 33 advanced NSCLC patients receiving anti-PD-1 therapy combined with platinum-based chemotherapy, we found that elevated baseline peripheral blood CCL5 levels significantly predicted shorter overall survival (27.6 months vs. not reached, HR = 2.779, p = 0.038) and a higher incidence of immune-related pneumonitis (p = 0.0072). These clinical observations were supported by the re-analysis of a previously published single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset (n = 8), which indicated that high CCL5 expression in peripheral blood T/NK cells was associated with a lower major pathological response (p = 0.029). To explore the underlying mechanisms, we conducted detailed analyses using a large, publicly available tumor scRNA-seq dataset (GSE243013, n = 234). These analyses revealed that high intratumoral CCL5 simultaneously promoted the recruitment of both immune effector cells (CD8+ T cells, NK cells) and immunosuppressive populations (Tregs, MDSCs). This paradoxical immune landscape correlated with elevated immune checkpoint expression and significantly higher TIDE scores (1.47 vs. 0.83, p < 0.001). CellChat and SCENIC network analyses identified intensified T cell–myeloid communication and key transcription factors (e.g., FOXP3, EOMES) mediating this dichotomy. Conclusions: This hypothesis-generating study raises the possibility that CCL5 orchestrates paradoxical immune responses and may serve as a biomarker in NSCLC. Further validation in larger prospective, independent cohorts is required.