Elevated circASCC3 limits antitumor immunity by sponging miR-432–5p to upregulate C5a in non-small cell lung cancer

Although anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD1) treatment has become a first-line therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), most NSCLC patients are refractory to anti-PD1. Here, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of dysregulated circular RNAs (circRNAs) related to anti-PD1 resistance in NSCLC. The expression of circASCC3 (hsa_circ_0077,495) in NSCLC tissues and cell lines was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The functions and mechanisms of circASCC3 in NSCLC progression and anti-PD1 resistance were uncovered in vitro and in vivo. The circASCC3 level was upregulated in NSCLC compared with that in paired normal tissues. Specifically, circASCC3 expression was higher in tissues from NSCLC patients with anti-PD1 refractory than in those from patients who sensitive to anti-PD1. Overexpression of circASCC3 enhanced the malignant phenotype of NSCLC cells and led to an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Mechanistically, circASCC3 sponged miR-432-5p to increase complement C5a levels, which enhanced the progression and dysfunctional immune status of NSCLC. Thus, circASCC3 overexpression reshapes the tumor microenvironment by impacting the complement system in NSCLC and provides a potential strategy to overcome anti-PD1 resistance.