UV-induced immune modulation in the lung niche slows cancer progression
Ultraviolet radiation has a well-documented local immunosuppressive effect on the skin that can enhance subcutaneous tumor growth; however, its systemic impact on cancer progression in internal organs remains poorly understood. Here, we show that chronic UVB exposure after melanoma metastasis to the lung inhibits metastatic growth and modestly improves survival in mice. In UK Biobank participants, higher solar radiation exposure is positively associated with improved lung cancer survival. Mechanistically, UVB modulates the tumor immune environment: Mass cytometry of CD45<sup>+</sup> immune infiltrate cells from lung metastases of mice UVB-and sham-irradiated revealed a UVB-induced increase in CXCR2<sup>-</sup> neutrophils and a reduction in Ly6C<sup>+</sup> inflammatory monocytes, with no changes in regulatory T cells or expression of immune checkpoint molecules. Together, these results highlight a potentially protective role of UVB and solar radiation and provide a rationale for further investigation into UV as a factor that enhances antitumor immunity.
Authors
- Ruth Percik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8184-5133)
- Carmit Levy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2683-8779)
- Yaron Carmi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0972-0616)
- CHRIS DIBBEN
- Zvi Granot (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9692-5785)
- Andrew C. Stevenson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1028-3668)
- Shivang Parikh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6364-9307)
- Esther Goodman
- Amaya Virós (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5177-5015)
- Tamar Golan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1171-8224)
- Avishai Maliah (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3538-4633)
- Justine Del Rio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5517-8158)
- Mehdi Khaled (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0200-6732)
- Paulee Manich (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0484-6543)
- Roma Parikh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5425-4901)
- Yuval Sade
- Gal Binshtok
- Dan Bijaoui
- Richard Weller
- Chen Luxenburg
- Itay Tal
Institutions
- Inserm (FR)
- Tel Aviv University (IL)
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem (IL)
- Sheba Medical Center (IL)
- Institut Gustave Roussy (FR)
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard (US)
- University of Manchester (GB)
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (GB)
- Centre for Inflammation Research (GB)
- University of Edinburgh (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Published
- 2026-02-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-33900-z
- Primary Topic
- Skin Protection and Aging
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Wellcome Trust
- Scottish Government
- British Heart Foundation
- Department of Health and Social Care
- European Commission
- Public Health Agency
- Israel Cancer Association
- Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate
- Medical Research Council
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- Economic and Social Research Council
- Health and Social Care Research and Development Division