PD-L1 immunohistochemistry for canine cancers and clinical benefit of anti-PD-L1 antibody in dogs with pulmonary metastatic oral malignant melanoma.

Abstract

Immunotherapy targeting programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) represents promising treatments for human cancers. Our previous studies demonstrated PD-L1 overexpression in some canine cancers, and suggested the therapeutic potential of a canine chimeric anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (c4G12). However, such evidence is scarce, limiting the clinical application in dogs. In the present report, canine PD-L1 expression was assessed in various cancer types, using a new anti-PD-L1 mAb, 6C11-3A11, and the safety and efficacy of c4G12 were explored in 29 dogs with pulmonary metastatic oral malignant melanoma (OMM). PD-L1 expression was detected in most canine malignant cancers including OMM, and survival was significantly longer in the c4G12 treatment group (median 143 days) when compared to a historical control group (n = 15, median 54 days). In dogs with measurable disease (n = 13), one dog (7.7%) experienced a complete response. Treatment-related adverse events of any grade were observed in 15 dogs (51.7%). Here we show that PD-L1 is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy in dogs, and dogs could be a useful large animal model for human cancer research.

• Authors: Naoya Maekawa, Satoru Konnai, Maki Nishimura, Yumiko Kagawa, Satoshi Takagi, Kenji Hosoya, Hiroshi Ohta, Sangho Kim, Tomohiro Okagawa, Yusuke Izumi, Tatsuya Deguchi, Yukinari Kato, Satoshi Yamamoto, Keiichi Yamamoto, Mikihiro Toda, Chie Nakajima, Yasuhiko Suzuki, Shiro Murata, Kazuhiko Ohashi
• Journal: NPJ precision oncology (NPJ Precis Oncol) Vol. 5 Issue 1 Pg. 10 (Feb 12 2021) ISSN: 2397-768X [Print] England
• PMID: 33580183 (Publication Type: Journal Article)