Anti-Chi3L1 antibody suppresses lung tumor growth and metastasis through inhibition of M2 polarization.

Chitinase 3 like 1 (Chi3L1) is associated with various biological processes, such as inflammation, tissue repair, proliferation, cell survival, invasion and extracellular matrix remodeling. Recent studies indicated that Chi3L1 is critical for cancer development and metastasis. In this study, we demonstrate that Chi3L1 serum and tissue levels were significantly increased in lung cancer patients compared to controls. We previously developed an anti-Chi3L1 humanized antibody, and here we investigate its anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effect. The anti-Chi3L1 antibody attenuated tumor growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo in a lung cancer mouse model. These inhibitory effects are associated with signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6)-dependent M2 polarization inhibition. Proteomics analysis revealed that plasminogen (PLG) interacts with Chi3L1 and affects M2 polarization. Chi3L1 plays a critical role in lung cancer progression, and the anti-Chi3L1 antibody could be a new anti-cancer therapy.