Inflammatory immune modulators of AML lung infiltration and respiratory failure

In the acute setting, respiratory failure occurs frequently due to leukemia infiltration of the lungs. Underlying mechanisms remain unexplored and therapeutic interventions are only empiric.

Here, we map the landscape of the AML lung microenvironment at both spatial and single-cell resolution. We show that inflammatory responses are triggered, as a part of an extensive remodeling of the lung stroma and immune microenvironment. Tumor cell infiltration impairs lung integrity and function; however, steroid treatment significantly slows down inflammation and lung infiltration and rapidly improves oxygenation and pulmonary function in AML patients with respiratory compromise attributed to leukemic infiltrates in the absence of infection.