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Frequent PD-L1 expression in testicular germ cell tumors
C D Fankhauser1, A Curioni-Fontecedro2, V Allmann3
1Department of Urology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Background:
Many testicular germ cell cancers are curable despite metastatic disease, but about 10-15% of patients fail cisplatin-based first-line treatment. Immunotherapy is considered as additional treatment approach for these patients. Inhibition of the interaction between Programmed Death Receptor 1 (PD-1) and Programmed Death Receptor Ligand 1 (PD-L1) enhances T-cell responses in vitro and mediates clinical antitumour activity. We analysed the expression of PD-L1 in testicular germ cell tumours to evaluate its potential as target for immunotherapeutic strategies.
Methods:
Immunohistochemistry was performed in 479 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens using a rabbit monoclonal antibody (E1L3N). The tissue microarray consisted of 208 pure seminomas, 121 non-seminomas, 20 intratubular germ cell neoplasia unclassified (IGCNU) and 20 specimens of non-neoplastic testicular tissue.
Results:
Programmed Death Receptor Ligand-1 expression was found in 73% of all seminomas and in 64% of all non-seminomas. None of 20 IGCNU and none of 20 normal tissue specimens exhibited PD-L1 expression. PD-L1 positive stromal cells were only detected in seminomas, but not in non-seminomas. The anti PD-L1 antibody showed a pre-dominantly membranous staining pattern in testicular tumour cells, as well as expression in stromal cells.
Conclusions:
This frequent expression of PD-L1 in human testicular germ cell tumours suggests that patients with testicular germ cell tumours could profit from immunotherapeutic strategies using anti-PD1 and anti-PDL1 antibodies.
Insights
Programmed Death Receptor Ligand-1 (PD-L1) is frequently expressed in testicular germ cell tumors, indicating potential benefits from immunotherapy. This finding supports the use of anti-PD1 and anti-PDL1 antibodies for treating these cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Testicular germ cell cancers are often curable, but 10-15% resist first-line cisplatin treatment.
- Immunotherapy, specifically targeting Programmed Death Receptor 1 (PD-1) and Programmed Death Receptor Ligand 1 (PD-L1) interactions, is a potential treatment avenue.
- Understanding PD-L1 expression in these tumors is crucial for evaluating immunotherapy efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the expression of PD-L1 in testicular germ cell tumors.
- To assess the potential of PD-L1 as a target for immunotherapy in testicular cancer.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was performed on 479 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens.
- The study included seminomas, non-seminomas, intratubular germ cell neoplasia unclassified (IGCNU), and non-neoplastic testicular tissue.
- A rabbit monoclonal antibody (E1L3N) was used to detect PD-L1 expression.
Main Results:
- PD-L1 expression was observed in 73% of seminomas and 64% of non-seminomas.
- No PD-L1 expression was detected in IGCNU or normal testicular tissue.
- PD-L1 showed predominantly membranous staining in tumor cells and was also found in stromal cells of seminomas.
Conclusions:
- Frequent PD-L1 expression in testicular germ cell tumors suggests immunotherapy is a viable strategy.
- Patients with testicular germ cell tumors may benefit from immunotherapeutic approaches using anti-PD1 and anti-PDL1 antibodies.
- PD-L1 serves as a promising biomarker for guiding immunotherapy in testicular cancer.
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