[Correlation Study on Expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The treatment mode of lung cancer is epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) as a first-line treatment for patients with EGFR mutant in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). At the same time programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and its programmed death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors therapy as the representative immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has a significant effect in the treatment of lung cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in NSCLC and clinicopathologic feature, EGFR gene mutation.

METHODS:

The protein expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 was detected by immunohistochemistry from 127 patients with NSCLC and EGFR gene mutation was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to analyze its relation with clinicopathologic feature. Also, the correlation between protein expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 and EGFR mutation.

RESULTS:

The PD-1 positive expression in NSCLC tumor cells and tumor infiltrating immune cells is 53.5% (68/127), PD-L1 is 57.5% (73/127). The PD-1 and PD-L1 expression significantly higher in well-differentiated and moderately-differentiated carcinoma than poorly differentiated carcinoma, I+II than III+IV in clinical staging (P<0.05). The EGFR mutation rate was 46.5% (59/127), correlate with female, without smoking history, adenocarcinoma and well-differentiated and moderately-differentiated patients respectively higher than male, smoking history, squamous carcinoma and poorly differentiated patients (P<0.05). The protein expression of PD-L1 and PD-1 had the consistency in NSCLC patients (kappa=0.107,5, P=0.487). There was a negative correlation between the EGFR mutation and PD-1 and PD-L1 expression (Φ=-0.209, Φ=-0.221, P<0.05). Follow-up of NSCLC patients, the median total survival in under the age of 65, adenocarcinoma, well-differentiated and moderately-differentiated, with PD-L1 expression patients respectively higher than over the age of 65, squamous carcinoma, poorly differentiated, without PD-L1 expression patients (P<0.05). The median survival of hypo expression patients of PD-L1 significantly higher than hyper expression patient (P=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS:

According to the Chinese Expert Consensus on Standards of PD-L1 immunohistochemistry testing for NSCLC, we tested the PD-L1 expression in NSCLC and then the dominant population of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment was screened out. Patients with EGFR mutation were also detected and EGFR mutation was negatively correlated with the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 as well. On the basis of PD-L1 expression and EGFR mutation status, it may benefit NSCLC patients from individualized treatment. Meanwhile, patients who were under the age of 65, adenocarcinoma, well-differentiated and moderately-differentiated, hypo expression of PD-L1 have a relatively good prognosis, to provide reference for the prognosis evaluation of NSCLC.

• Authors: Ling Jiang, Zhiyi Lin, Na Li, Jinfang Jiang, Cengceng Lu, Shenghang Du, Jun Zhang, Yuanyuan Wang, Jun Chen, Ping Gong
• Journal: Zhongguo fei ai za zhi = Chinese journal of lung cancer (Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi) Vol. 24 Issue 9 Pg. 623-631 (Sep 20 2021) ISSN: 1999-6187 [Electronic] China
• PMID: 34455737 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• B7-H1 Antigen
• CD274 protein, human
• Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
• PDCD1 protein, human
• Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors
• ErbB Receptors

Topics

• Aged
• B7-H1 Antigen (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (drug therapy, genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• ErbB Receptors (genetics)
• Female
• Humans
• Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Lung Neoplasms (drug therapy, genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mutation
• Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor (biosynthesis)
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)