MedicineBiology

Dan Wei, Jiang Chen, Feihu Bai, Donglin Li, Jie Liu, H. Dou, Yan Lei, Yongzhen Zhang, Bo Zhang, Ying Pang, C. Cao, Tao Yang, Junling Han, Tianyu Cao

2026.2.6NEOPLASIA

DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2026.101279

tlooto Summary

Findings establish OSMR as a molecular linchpin connecting intrinsic tumor survival pathways (PI3K/CCNE2) with extrinsic immunosuppressive reprogramming with extrinsic immunosuppressive reprogramming (BMP5/TANs/CD8+T cells), providing a clinically actionable target to overcome treatment resistance in GC.

Abstract

Chemoresistance and immunosuppression present major challenges in gastric cancer (GC) treatment, with their interplay remaining poorly understood. We identify the Oncostatin M receptor (OSMR) as a central regulator coordinating both chemoresistance and neutrophil-mediated immunosuppression. OSMR was significantly upregulated in GC patients, correlating with poor chemotherapy response and reduced CD8+T cell infiltration. Mechanistically, OSMR directly recruits PI3K, amplifying PI3K/AKT signaling to increase cyclin E2 (CCNE2) expression, thereby sustaining tumor cell survival under chemotherapy-induced stress. Crucially, we uncovered a novel immunoregulatory cascade: OSMR drives BMP5 transcriptional activation, orchestrating N2-polarization of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) and upregulating PD-L1 expression on TANs, ultimately impairing CD8+T cell cytotoxicity. Dysfunctional CD8+T cells secreted IL31, activating the OSMR pathway in GC cells and thereby forming a self-perpetuating OSMR-BMP5-IL31 feedback circuit that sustains therapeutic resistance. Therapeutically, OSMR neutralization with vixarelimab synergized with fluorouracil to overcome chemoresistance and reinstate anti-tumor immunity in GC preclinical models. Our findings establish OSMR as a molecular linchpin connecting intrinsic tumor survival pathways (PI3K/CCNE2) with extrinsic immunosuppressive reprogramming (BMP5/TANs/CD8+T cells), providing a clinically actionable target to overcome treatment resistance in GC.

Citation format

WEI, Dan, et al. OSMR coordinates a self-perpetuating circuit linking chemoresistance and neutrophil-driven immunosuppression in gastric cancer. NEOPLASIA, 2026, 73: 101279.