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Published on: January 3, 2013
Tumor B7-H1 and B7-H3 expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung
Jennifer M Boland1, Eugene D Kwon, Susan M Harrington
1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Background:
Pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma has a poor prognosis, and new therapeutic targets are needed. The aberrant expression of the immunomodulatory proteins B7-H1 and B7-H3 by malignant cells may contribute to tumoral immune evasion. Data about the expression of these proteins by squamous cell carcinoma of the lung are limited.
Materials And Methods:
Immunohistochemistry for B7-H1 and B7-H3 was performed on 214 resected pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma specimens.
Results:
At the last follow-up, 171 of 214 (80%) of patients were deceased (median survival time, 3.76 years). Forty-two (19.6%) of 214 cases showed positivity with B7-H1, with a range of 5% to 60% of cells that stained positively. A total of 189 (88.3%) of 214 cases showed positivity with B7-H3, with a range of 5% to 80% of cells staining positively. By using multivariate analysis, no degree of B7-H1 or B7-H3 positivity was significantly associated with patient outcome.
Conclusions:
Although B7-H1 and B7-H3 are not of independent prognostic value, they are commonly expressed on a subset of tumor cells in pulmonary squamous cell carcinomas. Known interaction of the B7-H proteins with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 may make them attractive candidate biomarkers for response to immunomodulatory therapeutics, eg, ipilimumab, and warrants further study.
Insights
B7-H1 and B7-H3 proteins are frequently expressed in lung squamous cell carcinoma, but do not independently predict patient survival. These proteins may be potential biomarkers for immunotherapy response.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) has a poor prognosis, necessitating novel therapeutic targets.
- Aberrant expression of B7-H1 and B7-H3 by malignant cells may facilitate immune evasion.
- Limited data exist on B7-H1 and B7-H3 expression in PSCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of B7-H1 and B7-H3 in PSCC specimens.
- To determine the prognostic significance of B7-H1 and B7-H3 expression in PSCC.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to assess B7-H1 and B7-H3 expression.
- The study analyzed 214 resected PSCC specimens.
Main Results:
- B7-H1 was positive in 19.6% of cases (range 5-60% positive cells).
- B7-H3 was positive in 88.3% of cases (range 5-80% positive cells).
- No significant association was found between B7-H1 or B7-H3 positivity and patient outcome via multivariate analysis.
Conclusions:
- B7-H1 and B7-H3 are commonly expressed in PSCC but lack independent prognostic value.
- Their interaction with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 suggests potential as biomarkers for immunomodulatory therapeutics like ipilimumab.
- Further research is warranted to explore their role in predicting immunotherapy response.
